LUDHIANA: National Democratic Alliance and Left parties’ call of nationwide bandh against hike in fuel prices cast its shadow on the transport service in the city on Monday with vehicle movement coming to minimum. Though the protesters tried to enter the city railway station to block the tracks, the security forces did not let them do so. Leaving its impact on the passengers, the bandh seemed to have affected the bus service with usually crowded bus stand, which sees jostling passengers, wearing a deserted look.
According to Pramod Chauhan, an officer at the bus stand, more than 5,000 buses halt at the bus stand on a daily basis. However, this count was much less on Monday due to the bandh. Talking to TOI, he further said that only 5% private buses were operating while the total percentage of government buses, which were working normally, was only 20%.
"The bus stand seems to be lifeless today with hardly anyone at the place," said Kavita Anand, a passenger.
Moreover, according to a dealer, the buses that were operational despite the bandh were greatly affected as many of them were arriving late at the city bus stand due to the protests in other cities.
Later, the agitated BJP members tried to storm the railway station but their bid was foiled by security forces.
According to station superintendent RK Sharma the passengers at the railway station did not have to face inconvenience of any sort, in fact the trains were running on their scheduled timings unaffected by the bandh.
Notably, a very few number of autorickshaws were seen on the roads on Monday following the bandh. According to Om Prakash, one of the autorickshaw drivers, only 25% autos were operational on Monday due to the bandh call. He further said that there were hardly any commuters also who wanted to use the service, which usually is overloaded.
The worst-hit places in the city were the Clock Tower and Chaura Bazaar where the BJP also held a rally to protest against the hike in prices.
According to Pramod Chauhan, an officer at the bus stand, more than 5,000 buses halt at the bus stand on a daily basis. However, this count was much less on Monday due to the bandh. Talking to TOI, he further said that only 5% private buses were operating while the total percentage of government buses, which were working normally, was only 20%.
"The bus stand seems to be lifeless today with hardly anyone at the place," said Kavita Anand, a passenger.
Moreover, according to a dealer, the buses that were operational despite the bandh were greatly affected as many of them were arriving late at the city bus stand due to the protests in other cities.
Later, the agitated BJP members tried to storm the railway station but their bid was foiled by security forces.
According to station superintendent RK Sharma the passengers at the railway station did not have to face inconvenience of any sort, in fact the trains were running on their scheduled timings unaffected by the bandh.
Notably, a very few number of autorickshaws were seen on the roads on Monday following the bandh. According to Om Prakash, one of the autorickshaw drivers, only 25% autos were operational on Monday due to the bandh call. He further said that there were hardly any commuters also who wanted to use the service, which usually is overloaded.
The worst-hit places in the city were the Clock Tower and Chaura Bazaar where the BJP also held a rally to protest against the hike in prices.
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