Cab, auto drivers’ unions call 3-day strike

Commercial vehicle drivers’ unions in Delhi-NCR have announced a three-day strike from May 21 to 23 (from Thursday to Saturday), demanding an immediate hike in taxi and auto fares amid rising fuel prices, and alleged exploitation by app-based cab aggregators. Reacting to this, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said he is hopeful of resolving the issue soon after discussion with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

According to Anuj Kumar Rathore, vice-president of the Chaalak Shakti Union, due to the continuously increasing prices of CNG, petrol and diesel, middle-class drivers are struggling to support their families. Therefore, in coordination with other organisations of Delhi, the ‘Chaalak Shakti Union’ has called for a Chakka Jam (strike) and appealed not to operate vehicles on May 21, 22 and 23.

“If the Government does not immediately increase taxi fares and issue a notification within one or two weeks, this movement will be intensified into a large-scale protest, for which the Delhi Government solely would be responsible,” the union added.

The drivers of commercial vehicles also stated that “strong policies be formulated to stop the economic exploitation of taxi drivers”.

“The union had to approach the Delhi High Court last year, which clearly directed that the problems of taxi drivers should be resolved and the taxi fare should be increased. Despite this, the Delhi Government continues to make excuses and delay this matter by saying that the file has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval,” the letter added.

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) on Monday wrote to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, raising their demands, including a hike in taxi, auto fares and withdrawal of the environment compensation cess on commercial vehicles.

Addressing a press conference here, Gadkari said, “I discussed this issue (collection of environment compensation cess) with CM Gupta. We will soon find a solution to this issue”.

The drivers also raised concerns about app-based cab companies, alleging that they are raising prices and “acting arbitrarily,” while taxi drivers in Delhi are “becoming victims of economic exploitation and slavery-like conditions.” “Fares for city taxis have not been hiked in the Delhi-NCR region for the last 15 years. Meanwhile, the cost of CNG, petrol, diesel has increased manifold,” the letter added.

Last week, the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Union and the Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union had also raised similar concerns in a letter to the chief minister, demanding a fare hike. The unions said a protest will be held at the Delhi Secretariat as well on May 23.

AIMTC has also announced a three-day strike in Delhi-NCR in response to the Delhi Government’s decision to increase the environment compensation cess on commercial vehicles. AIMTC, which represents truckers, private bus operators, taxi drivers, and maxi cab operators, met in Delhi on Tuesday to discuss concerns regarding the cess hike.

AIMTC stated that over 68 transport associations and unions in Delhi-NCR will suspend operations for three days to protest policies issued by the CAQM, the courts, and the Delhi Government, which they describe as unjust.

The union has listed several demands, including withdrawal of the cess hike on all Delhi-bound goods vehicles, reversal of the proposed ban on non-Delhi-registered BS-IV commercial goods vehicles from November 1, 2026, and restricting the cess to vehicles transiting through Delhi.