Auto union calls off strike, respite for commuters

In a huge relief for commuters, autorickshaw drivers called off their strike on Monday.

In a huge relief for commuters, autorickshaw drivers called off their strike on Monday.

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The strike had entered its fourth day with commuters facing immense harassment as autorickshaws and taxis stayed off the road after 4 pm to protest against alleged police “high-handedness” and in support of a fare hike. The strike, which has been on from March 1, was called off after the Lt Governor assured he would look into the auto drivers’ demands.

However, Monday blues continued in the day with office-goers and tourists arriving at several railway stations as well as the airport and facing a lot of inconvenience.

On Monday, approximately 1,000 auto rickshaws and taxi owners staged a demonstration outside the Lt-Governor’s office too.

“We staged a demonstration outside the Lt-Governor’s office and he assured us that he will take up the matter with the police, who after challaning us impound our vehicles too. We told the Lt-Governor that the Delhi government had not hiked auto fares for the last three years despite CNG prices going up regularly. He said he will look into this,” said Rajendra Soni of the Bharatiya private transport Mazdoor Mahasangh, which represents a large number of auto unions in the city.