Delhiites face major transportation problem as taxi and autorickshaw drivers began their two-day strike on Thursday demanding better compensation from cab aggregator services with commuters in the national Capital and its adjoining areas are to have a tough time.
Meanwhile, drivers who didn’t participate in the ongoing strike were threatened and asked to deboard passengers.
Taxi and auto unions said inadequate compensation coupled with aggregators launching bike taxi services has hit their livelihood. Delhi Auto Taxi Transport Congress Union (DATTCU) president Kishan Verma claimed that 80 per cent of autorickshaws and taxis are off the road in the city as around 14 unions are participating in the protest.
Anil Pradhan, a cab driver, demanded a ban on bike taxis that offer services using non-commercial number plates. “The Government should step in and ban the commercial plying of vehicles with non-commercial numberplates. It is becoming difficult to make ends meet,” he said. Amid the autos and taxis not operating, commuters expressed their frustrations as they took to social media to complain about delay in getting cabs and cancellations.
“Spent the last 35 minutes trying to get a cab in Noida for Delhi. What’s wrong with @Olacabs @Uber_India @rapidobikeapp,” X user Prashhush posted.
Some complained that they had a hard time reaching to their office on a working day as they had to wait for a long time to avail services from apps. Kshitiz Agarwal said,”Is it only me or uber doesn’t work anymore now? Couldn’t find a uber cab for 30 mins nowadays even at posh localities like south extension, new delhi #uber #ola.”
Mansi Pandey, a media professional, said that autorickshaw drivers who are not participating in the strike are being threatened. “I was travelling from my home to my workplace and took an auto near East of Kailash. At first, it was difficult to find an auto but when I got one, the driver demanded a higher fare. Since I was getting late, I agreed to pay more but when we reached a few metres ahead, around five to 10 people stopped the auto and asked me to step out, saying there was a strike today. They warned the driver that if he continued to drive, they would damage his auto,” she said.
A student Ananya Tiwari said while usually she gets a ride in two minutes, it became extremely difficult to get one while the fares were also substantially higher than usual.
Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh General secretary Rajendra Soni alleged that drivers were being threatened. His union is not part of the strike. “Many drivers are not part of the strike. We have come across instances where drivers are being threatened outside railway stations and bus stops. We demand that the police step up vigil outside these points. It is a matter of commuter safety as well as driver safety,” he added.
Rakesh, an autorickshaw driver with a cab aggregator, said he was avoiding accepting rides from railway stations and bus terminals since there was a threat of violence. “In fact, if I was allotted a ride and the commuter called me, I asked them to pay more than what the fare showed since there was a risk,” he added.
Auto and taxi unions gathered at Jantar Mantar to voice their protest. DATTCU president Verma said, “Why are we made to take permits and pay taxes when private vehicles are allowed to ply? We demand that the government impose a ban on bike taxis.” On incidents of violence, he said, there have been some instances in Mahipalpur, Najafgarh, trans-Yamuna area but our union has nothing to do with it.
These are unsocial elements who are trying to take benefit from the protest and hamper the protest, Verma said, adding that it is the work of those in opposition.
