Delhi-NCR Taxi, Auto drivers announce 3-Day strike amid fuel price hike

Commercial vehicle drivers’ unions in Delhi-NCR have announced a three-day strike from May 21 to 23, demanding an immediate revision in taxi and auto fares amid rising fuel prices and increasing operational costs.

The “Chalak Shakti Union” submitted a memorandum to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Transport Minister and Police Commissioner, extending support to a nationwide protest call by the All India Motor Transport Congress.

The unions said taxi fares in Delhi-NCR have remained unchanged for nearly 15 years despite repeated hikes in CNG, petrol and diesel prices, along with rising maintenance, insurance and permit costs.

Union leaders warned that if the government fails to revise fares within the next one or two weeks, the agitation could intensify into a larger movement. A protest has also been planned outside the Delhi Secretariat on May 23.

Drivers accused app-based cab aggregators like Ola, Uber and Rapido of exploiting drivers through low payouts and unfair policies. They claimed that increasing fuel costs are severely impacting their livelihoods.

The strike announcement comes amid another fuel price hike across India. Petrol and diesel prices were increased by around 90 paise per litre on Tuesday, marking the second hike within a week following global oil supply concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Gig workers and delivery partners have also raised concerns over shrinking earnings, saying app-based fares and payouts have not increased in proportion to rising fuel expenses.