Chandigarh: Several schools in Chandigarh advanced their closing time on Wednesday amid the Punjab bandh called over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta. However, school buses heading towards Kharar, Banur, Zirakpur and other parts of Punjab were reportedly stranded on highways after protesters blocked key roads, leaving students inconvenienced.
Traffic was disrupted on routes connecting Mohali with Kharar and Banur, as well as Chandigarh with Zirakpur. The roadblocks also affected school transport, with buses carrying students caught in the congestion.
Bhavan Vidyalaya in Sector 33, Chandigarh, which usually closes at 1.50 pm for most classes and at 12.15 pm for pre-primary students, dismissed all classes at 12.15 pm due to the bandh.
The school said the decision was taken because buses assigned to transport younger students could get stuck on the roads and might not return in time for their next scheduled trip, planned for around 1.30 pm.
Several buses belonging to St Xavier’s School in Chandigarh were also reportedly stranded near Kharar.
School bus operators appealed to those enforcing the shutdown to allow vehicles carrying students to pass. Buses were permitted to cross roadblocks at some locations following such requests.
