Contractor in cahoots with transport mafia, allege Punbus staffers

The protesting employees also raised slogans against the higher authorities who allegedly failed to take action against the contractor despite several complaints

Raising hue and cry over the “shoddy maintenance work” of the contractor at the Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Interstate Bus Terminal and accusing him of supporting the transport mafia, the Punbus employees’ union organised a gate rally against him at the bus stand on Wednesday.

Members of the Punbus Employees’ Union protesting against the maintenance contractor and officials of the roadways department on the bus stand in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (HT photo)

The protesting employees also raised slogans against the higher authorities who allegedly failed to take action against the contractor despite several complaints.

Protesters alleged that proper facilities were not being provided to visitors at the bus stand and cleanliness was not upto the mark . Further, the contractor is also allowing private bus operators, which illegally ferry passengers to other states, to install their vends near the entry gate of the bus stand, hence encouraging the transport mafia.

President of Punbus employees’ union, Shamsher Singh said, “We have been complaining about the irregularities and illegal activities being taken up by the contractor, but the authorities have failed to take any action so far. The contractor is also causing a loss to the state exchequer by supporting the transport mafia. We will continue the agitation if the authorities failed to resolve the issue.” The union members said that the general manager of Punjab Roadways (Ludhiana), Inderjit Singh Chawla has assured that the state authorities have been apprised about the issues raised by the union and director, state transport will conduct a meeting regarding the same on January 6. Despite attempts, Chawla could not be reached for comment.