Mumbai: Thousands of Auto Drivers Go Off Road, Threaten Indefinite Strike

Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 4: In response to a 'dharna' called by trade unionist Sharad Rao, about 80% of autorickshaw drivers in the city decided to stay off road on Tuesday October 4.

About 5,000 auto drivers appraoched the state transport commissioner with a handful of demands, including a fare hike. The auto drivers have threatened to go on an indefinite strike if their demands are not met by November 9.

Rao's Mumbai Autorickshawmen's Union has maintained that the fares are too low for the increasing living costs. "Nearly 30% of an auto driver's income goes toward paying bribes. In such a scenario, he has no option but to rig the meter to make up for the losses and match his expenses," Rao said.

Thousands of auto drivers walked or drove their vehicles to the transport commissioner's office in Bandra (East) causing a traffic snarl on the Western Express Highway between Santa Cruz and Bandra for hours. "Thousands of auto drivers came come to attend the agitation," a traffic officer said. "There was chaos near Kherwadi because all these men parked their vehicles in the inside lanes."

Shirish Deshpande, president of consumer rights group Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, said: "We requested the transport minister to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act against agitating drivers. Fares cannot be increased at the whims of Sharad Rao, who has to follow proper procedures by arguing his case before the tariff committee."

Undeterred by the criticism, Rao warned of an indefinite strike if his union's demands are not met by November 9. After meeting transport commissioner, he asserted that the hike in fare should be such that a driver can earn an average of Rs 25,000 a month. Also, it should be increased every January.