Ludhiana, Jan. 9 -- Commuters were left waiting longer than usual at the bus stand here in the chilling cold as many buses of the PRTC and Punjab Roadways were sent to chief minister Bhagwant Mann's event here on Wednesday.

Around 23 buses, eight from the Roadways' fleet and 15 from the PRTC at Ludhiana depot, were sent to the event, according to union leaders. People from across the state were ferried to the event on these buses. "I have been sitting here for almost an hour. I am waiting for a PRTC or Roadways bus, as they have no fare for women. I am going to Amritsar," said Sanjeet Kaur, as she waited at the Ludhiana bus stand.

The bus stand was teeming with waiting passengers, a sight not available on regular days when the bus traff...