Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 1: Opposing operation by transport department which seemed to single them out for action, owners and drivers of Ola and Uber cabs went on flash strike on Tuesday May 31 morning. As a result, traffic on airport road here was choked.

People bound for airport and returning from there were the worst hit. About a thousand cabs were parked on road near Navayuga tollgate on airport road, covering the road for a kilometre. Several passengers were seen walking with their luggage to the airport because of fear of missing the flight.

As traffic was blocked, owners of other vehicles faced problem of reaching their destinations. After about an hour of problems, police officers came to the point and convinced the drivers to move out of the area. Even as the protest at airport eased, thousands of cab drivers forming another group protested at Freedom Park.

Joint commissioner in transport department, Narendra Holkar, denied allegations of harassment of cabs by his department. He said that after airports authority of India coplained about haphazard parking by cabs in the airport premises blocking traffic, policemen had gone there to clear the block. He said that the cab drivers, who misinterpreted this action, went on strike.

Addressing the prootesters, president of Ola, Uber, and Tai for Sure Car Drivers and Owners Association, Tanveer Pasha, blamed transport department officials of taking action against poor drivers instead of acting against erring companies. He said that about 45,000 drivers and their families are facing the prospects of being driven to streets. He warned of intensifying stir if the operation is not stopped.

Former chief minister, H K Kumaraswamy, sympathised with drivers. He said that he has discussed with transport department officials and advised them not to levy fines on drivers and confiscate their cabs. He added that the officials have been asked to deal with issues at the company level.

Transport commissioner, Ramegowda, said that as per Karnataka On Demand Transport Technology Aggregator Rules 2016, every cab should have permit, digital billing system, GPS, panic button for passengers etc. Action will continue against vehicles not sticking to these rules, he clarified.