PUNBUS-PRTC employees announce road blockade for two hours across Punjab, Read to know why

October 23, 2025

In Amritsar, employees of the Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) and PUNBUS have announced a two-hour road blockade across Punjab today (October 23). The protest will last from 12 noon to 2 pm.

The employees stated that the protest is against the planned privatization of public transport. Union President Resham Singh Gill alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had promised to end privatization before coming to power, but now it is preparing to hand over government bus services to corporate houses.

Protests will also take place in these cities

In addition to Amritsar, protests will also be held in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Sangrur. Gill said that if the government opens tenders for PRTC and PUNBUS, private bus owners will recover the cost of their buses within five years and retain them. This will cause significant financial losses to the government.

Impact on Tarn Taran by-election

Gill warned that if the tender is opened, employees will go on a state-wide strike and campaign against the government in the upcoming Tarn Taran by-election. He said that employees have played a major role in bringing this government to power, but if the government acts unjustly, they also have the power to oust it from power.

Discontent over salary delays

Employees also expressed discontent over the continued delay in salaries. Gill said that even during festivals like Diwali, employees have to close the bus station to collect their salaries. Salaries, which were normally paid on the 1st of every month, are now being paid between the 20th and 25th, which has adversely affected the employees’ financial situation.

The employees warned that if the government does not immediately withdraw the privatization plan, the agitation will be intensified.