- Various auto unions, taxi and minibus drivers have decided to go on a strike on Monday demanding a hike in fare rates and a cut in CNG prices.
- Unions have refused to call off the strike even after the Delhi government made an announcement about forming a panel to consider fare revision in a timely manner.
Delhi commuters are likely to struggle because various auto unions, taxi and minibus drivers have decided to go on a strike on Monday, their demand being a hike in fare rates and a cut in CNG prices. Most auto unions said they will go on a one-day strike but, the Sarvodaya Driver Association Delhi, which has members who drive for cab aggregators, said it will go on an “indefinite” strike from Monday.
The unions refused to call off their strike even after the Delhi government made an announcement to form a panel to consider fare revision in a timely manner.
Unprecedented hike in CNG prices
General secretary of the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh Rajendra Soni expressed that the “unprecedented” increase in rates of CNG has taken a toll on auto and cab drivers.
“We know that the Delhi government is forming some committee but we need solutions to our problems which are not in sight. We are demanding that the government (Centre and Delhi) provide ?35 per kg subsidy on CNG prices,” he said.
Drivers protested at Delhi Secretariat
Hundreds of auto, taxi and cab drivers protested at the Delhi Secretariat recently demanding subsidy on CNG prices.
There are more than 90,000 autos and over 80,000 registered taxis along with the public transport system in the city.
RTV buses also to be off the road
General secretary of STA Operators Ekta Manch, Shyamlal Gola, stated that RTV buses, of which there are about 10,000, are also going to be off the road in support and solidarity of the demands to revise fares and reduce CNG prices.
These feeder buses play a key role in Delhi’s commuting system as they support last-mile connectivity by running from Metro stations to the interior localities within the city.