CHANDIGARH/BATHINDA, Oct. 22 -- Talks between striking contractual employees of Punbus and the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and minister Harpal Singh Cheema and transport secretary Varun Roojam remained inconclusive in Chandigarh on Wednesday, with unions refusing to call off their indefinite strike until their demands are met.

The strike, which began on the evening of October 20, has disrupted public transport services across Punjab and Chandigarh, leaving commuters struggling to find alternatives. Nearly 2,000 state-run buses have been taken off the roads, affecting services operated by the Punjab Roadways and PRTC.

Around 40% of Punjab Roadways' fleet of nearly 600 buses remained off the roads, while PRTC's 1,800 buses sta...