A regional shutdown called in Punjab on Friday by the Kaumi Insaaf Morcha, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners lodged in various jails, created significant transportation disruptions in neighboring Himachal Pradesh. In response to potential security risks along border routes, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) suspended all bus services operating from Himachal Pradesh into Punjab until 2:00 PM. This decision severely impacted inter-state transit lines, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded at key bus stands, most notably at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) located in the Una district headquarters.
Widespread Travel Disruptions and Confusion at Una ISBT
The impact of the shutdown became visible around 10:00 AM on Friday morning as commuters arrived at Una ISBT to find long-distance services halted. Travelers intending to reach major destinations such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Nalagarh, and several parts of Haryana were forced to wait for hours without clear departure schedules. Although the protest call was officially scheduled to end at 2:00 PM, uncertainty among passengers continued to escalate. HRTC management indicated that bus dispatches after 2:00 PM would strictly depend on a real-time assessment of law and order conditions within Punjab, leaving stranded commuters anxious about whether they could complete their journeys later in the day.
Passengers Recount Inconvenience and Lack of Updates
Passengers waiting at the terminal expressed deep concern over the lack of official information regarding bus movements. Poonam Sharma, a traveler heading to Pinjore in Haryana with her family, explained that she had been waiting at the bus stand for nearly four hours. She pointed out that terminal officials were unable to provide any concrete confirmation on whether bus services would actually resume post-2:00 PM. Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar and Arun Kumar, residents of Kangra traveling to Nalagarh, reported being stuck at the bus stand for an extended period with no alternative transport options available to reach their destination, emphasizing the severe inconvenience caused by the unexpected route suspensions.
HRTC Response and Route Suspension Details
Providing an official update on the situation, Sandeep Rana, Station In-charge for the Himachal Road Transport Corporation, confirmed that out-of-state bus departures were suspended until 2:00 PM due to the ongoing strike in Punjab. He stressed that even after the 2:00 PM deadline passed, decisions to send buses into Punjab would be taken only after inspecting ground conditions to ensure passenger safety. Rana added that the bandh called by Kaumi Insaaf Morcha until 2:00 PM had a widespread impact across border regions, forcing HRTC to temporarily suspend several routine bus schedules and adjust its operational plans accordingly.
