Thousands of autorickshaws went off the roads in Mumbai suburbs on Monday to protest the operations of private taxi aggregators and rise in permit fees.
In order to minimise inconvenience to passenger, state transport commissioner Shyam Wardhane has issued directives allowing private cars, buses and other vehicles to operate as “public transport” on Monday.
#Visuals from Mumbai auto rickshaw union strike over raised fares for issuing auto permits pic.twitter.com/Hty0B8qsAX
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2016
“This is being done for the convenience of commuters, specially office-goers, in view of the strike,” an official said. Shashank Rao, Leader of Mumbai Autorickshawmen Union which has called the strike, said, “We are opposing the operations of private cab aggregators (like Ola, Uber) and also the increase in permit fee to Rs 15,200. If there is any inconvenience to commuters, the state government will be responsible.”
He claimed that nearly 90,000 autos were off the roads on Monday. The strike inconvenienced scores of commuters as many office-goers depend on autos on the share routes to ply to the railway station daily. The police are on alert to ensure there is no law and order problem.
Here’s some interesting reactions to the strike on Twitter:
It’s a breeze to drive on Mumbai roads #AutoStrike, common man is affected. People furiously looking for an #auto to reach their destination
— AJAY PUNJABI (@ajay_punjabi) February 15, 2016
Auto’s on strike in Mumbai today, for a change they will hear a NO only from the boss today.
— Happily Unmarried (@happlyunmarried) February 15, 2016
Investors to Uber – what’s your business model in India?
— Gaurav Munjal (@gauravmunjal) February 15, 2016
#AutoStrike in Mumbai. Thanks to the auto drivers and their pathetic behaviour with people that now no one sympathises with them.
— Parikshit Shah (@imparixit) February 15, 2016