Auto-rickshaw operators went on strike protesting against “high handedness” by the Railway Protection Force ( RPF) personnel on Sunday. Passengers either opted for private cabs or asked their relatives and friends to pick them up from the station.
"We were not aware of the strike. After reaching Tatanagar by Jan-Shatabdi Express, we came out of the station looking for an auto. I had no choice but to call my son,” said a passenger. Another women passenger, who arrived here by Ispat Express was surprised when she came to know about the auto strike.
Over 200 auto-rickshaws which operate from the station were on strike over last night's RPF action. "We are the easy target. RPF jawans last night prevented us from entering the platforms to take passengers. We have been following this practice for many years now," pointed out, an auto-rickshaw operator. Railway sources said as a new initiative RPF prevented the operators from entering the platforms. "The auto drivers at times create nuisance looking for passengers while entering the platforms," said a railway official.
When contacted RPF inspector at Tatanagar MK Singh said that they took a decision not to allow the auto-rickshaw operators on platforms as it irritate passengers. Tatanagar railway station witnesses a daily traffic of over 90- mail, express and passenger trains which either originate from Tatanagar of go via that station. The daily passenger footfall is close to 50,000.