Fewer autos, taxis on road from today

You may face problems flagging an auto-rickshaw or a taxi after 4pm from Friday. To protest the "atrocities of traffic police and transport department", a section of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers have decided not to run their vehicles in the evening.

You may face problems flagging an auto-rickshaw or a taxi after 4pm from Friday. To protest the "atrocities of traffic police and transport department", a section of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers have decided not to run their vehicles in the evening.

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"The traffic police and the transport department is not paying heed to our grievances. This strike is going to continue for a long time," said Rajendra Soni, spokesperson, Delhi Mazdoor Mahasangh, which controls a sizeable section of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.

"I am going to sit on a dharna at the lieutenant-governor's office from tomorrow. I will be joined by some opposition MLAs and MPs," Soni added.

The auto-rickshaw unions are protesting the traffic police's crackdown and heavy fine levied by them on autos running without adequate documents.

They are also disappointed with the transport department's failure to increase the fares.

Delhi transport minister Ramakant Goswami, however, claimed that 20 major auto-rickshaw and taxi unions have backed out of the strike after a detailed discussion with the transport department.

"The transport department has agreed to refer the recommendations of the fare committee to another committee to find an early solution to the unions' demands. The unions have agreed not to participate in the strike keeping the inconvenience of passengers in mind," a transport department official said.