Auto drivers go on strike in Mumbai against app-based cabs

Mumbai, Aug 31 (PTI) Nearly one lakh autorickshaws wentoff the roads here today during a day-long strike to press forregulation of app-based cab sevices, hitting commuters hardwith many stranded in several places across the metropolis. Protesting rickshaw owners and drivers under the MumbaiAutorickshawmen’s Union are demanding effective regulation onbusiness operation of popular app-based taxi aggregators likeOla and Uber including their pricing strategy to attractcustomers. "The government has miserably failed to regulate thepractice of transportation of passengers via cab servicesbooked through call centres which are making a dent in ourbusiness," Union leader Shashank Rao told PTI. "And not only this, they are eating into our livelihoodwithout following any rules. We resorted to this strike as wehad no option left. The transport ministry has turned a deafear to our legitimate demands," said Rao. The protesters are demanding that a badge be given to allrickshaw drivers and owners, who are in this business sincethree years without imposing any restrictions on them. Currently, there are 1.05 lakh registered rickshawsplying in the city and the Rao-led union claims to have over90 per cent of them in its fold. "Out of these 1.05 lakh registered rickshaws, almost98,000-99,000 rickshaws are off roads today which shows ourstrength," Rao added. Meanwhile, a senior Transport department official saidthat it is unfortunate that despite being given an assurancefrom the government, they went ahead with the strike. He, however, said that the administration has takenample measures including plying of additional civic BEST busesto ferry commuters who are feeling the pinch due to the stir. Manoj Varade, spokesperson of BEST undertaking toldPTI, "Our administration has already given a free hand to all27 bus depot managers across the city to operate additionalservices as per requirement." Earlier on August 29, two auto and taxi driver unionsJai Bhagwan Taxi Rickshaw Sangathana and Nitesh Rane-ledSwabhimaan Sanghatana had put on hold their decision tillSeptember 1 to go an indefinite strike in Mumbai, Thane andNavi Mumbai after the Maharashtra government promised to lookinto their demands seriously. Their three key demands included to put the operationsof app-based cab aggregators on hold till rules andregulations are formulated by the state government, and ifallowed, they should be asked to ply outside the MumbaiMetropolitan Region, and they should be under the ambit of RTOrules and regulation. PTI APM DKRTSRE