New Delhi, May 21: Drivers of auto-rickshaws, taxis, transport vehicles, and app-based cabs in the Delhi-NCR region have declared a three-day strike on May 21, 22, and 23. They cite rising fuel prices, an outdated fare structure, and economic losses as reasons for their action. During the strike, drivers are urged not to take their vehicles onto the roads.
Anuj Kumar Rathore, Vice President of the Driver Power Union, stated that the continuous increase in CNG, petrol, and diesel prices has severely impacted drivers’ livelihoods. The Delhi government established a taxi policy for the Delhi-NCR area nearly 15 years ago, registering around 70,000 vehicles. At that time, the fare was set at ₹12.50 per kilometer, but it has not been revised since.
Rathore explained that the union has made multiple attempts to negotiate fare increases with the government, even taking the matter to the High Court. The court had issued orders to revise the fares, after which the transport department assured that discussions would lead to a fare increase soon. The union claims that after filing a contempt petition, the court reiterated its directives regarding fare adjustments.
He mentioned that the Deputy Commissioner of the Transport Department informed the union that a proposal to raise fares to ₹20-25 per kilometer had been prepared and sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval. Once approved, a notification will be issued. Additionally, there are plans to regulate fares for app-based cab services like Ola and Uber. The union argues that both drivers and customers are suffering due to current inflation, which is why the strike decision was made.
Rathore urged drivers not to be swayed by outside influences and to participate in the strike for the full three days. He accused some organizations of working under government pressure and not taking drivers’ issues seriously. He added that if the government reaches out for discussions and provides positive assurances regarding their demands, the union will reconsider its next steps. As of now, there has been no formal communication from the government for negotiations.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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