SYL fallout: Haryana stops plying buses to Punjab

Though the transport department claimed that only long-route operations have been temporarily stopped, some depots have stopped plying their buses on short routes as well. It is also not clear for how long the operations have been suspended.

A day after the Supreme Court declared illegal a law enacted by Punjab to terminate its river-water agreements with neighbouring states, the Haryana government has suspended operations of buses of Haryana Roadways plying to Punjab for security reasons.

Additional chief secretary, transport, Sudeep Singh Dhillon told HT that the department has decided to temporarily stop operations of buses plying on long routes to Punjab. (HT File Photo, for representation only)

Additional chief secretary, transport, Sudeep Singh Dhillon told HT that the department has decided to temporarily stop operations of buses plying on long routes to Punjab. “It is a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing situation,” he said.

Though the transport department claimed that only long-route operations have been temporarily stopped, some depots have stopped plying their buses on short routes as well. It is also not clear for how long the operations have been suspended.

The strike-down of the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, seen as a huge setback for Punjab, has created tension, with both sides sticking to their respective stands. While the Punjab government has refused to share water, there is jubilation in Haryana. A few state leaders and khaps have even threatened not to allow vehicles from Punjab to pass through Haryana if it does not accept the court verdict and give water.