Commuters face tough time as buses stay off Tricity roads

CHANDIGARH/PANCHKULA: Haryana Roadways employees on Tuesday went on a day-long strike in protest against the government decision to introduce 700 private buses in the state.
The roadways staff at Chandigarh, Panchkula and Kalka protested against the Central and state governments at Panchkula's Sector 5 bus stand against privatization of the state transport department and making strict amendments in the Motor Vehicle Act. Passengers at Chandigarh and Panchkula bus stands were at the receiving end as they were left stranded due to the strike.

Haryana Roadways has a total of 4,200 buses throughout the state out of which 3,900 buses run on regular basis. In Chandigarh, there are 113, including 19 luxury buses, and in Panchkula depot there are 93 buses while in in Kalka sub-depot there are a total of 50 buses.

Anil Nagar, general manager of Chandigarh bus depot, said, "We suffered a major loss due to the strike. The loss is being calculated and the report would be presented on Wednesday."

Yashpal Malik, duty inspector at Panchkula bus depot, said, "Passengers had a tough time today due to the strike. The department has suffered major losses. The exact amount would be shared on Wednesday".

The strike comes in the wake of a nation-wide protest called by the All India Motor Transport Organization over the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill. The protesters are demanding a withdrawal of the same.

Roadways union members said that as per the new policy license of the bus driver could be seized after any accident happens on the road. Also, there is a provision of imprisonment and loss of job in such cases. "These laws are very strict for a bus driver as there is a chance of losing a job in minor accidents as well. It is not accepted by us and the government should amend the policy," said a union member.

The bus operators also consider this as a step towards privatisation that would give way to monopolization and threaten jobs. There is also fear that privatization would also lead to an increase in fares.

President of the Haryana Workers' Union Virender Dhankar said, "The government should take back the decision of privatisation of the department. Haryana Roadways is at the top spot across the nation and we are giving more profit than any private bus operator to the government. The government should listen to our demands and must not impose rules that affects its employees."

"If any of the gram panchayat throughout Haryana agrees to start private buses, we will rethink about our protest," Dhankar added.

Commuters, who were found waiting at the bus stand, said the residents were on the receiving end due to a fight between the government and Haryana roadways staff.

One of the passenger at Chandigarh's Sector 17 ISBT 17 and a resident of Kurukshetra Sombir Sihag said, "I will have to take a taxi or a private vehicle to reach my home town. It is a major harassment as private operators will charge exorbitant rates today."

Students and office goers in Panchkula and Kalka, whose prime mode of transport are government buses, face difficulties due to the strike.