New Delhi, May 21: Taxi and auto drivers in the Delhi-NCR region are set to go on a significant three-day strike from May 21 to 23 in protest against rising inflation and fuel prices. The union demands an increase in taxi and auto fares, as there has been no fare hike for several years, despite the continuous rise in the prices of CNG and other essential goods.
Drivers argue that the fare rates established around 15 years ago are still in effect today, while inflation has surged significantly without any increase in their earnings. Union leaders state that operating under the current fare structure has become extremely challenging.
On May 19, Anuj Kumar Rathore, vice president of the Drivers’ Power Union, also known as ‘Anna’, accused the government of neglecting the issues faced by taxi drivers. He mentioned that drivers have been in continuous discussions with the government for years, but no concrete decisions have been made regarding their demands.
Rathore stated, “The fare set under the Delhi-NCR taxi scheme has not seen any increase in the last 15 years. We have been forced to take the decision to strike on May 21, 22, and 23.”
He indicated that the strike will encompass the entire Delhi-NCR region, with a large number of taxi drivers expected to participate. The primary demand of the union is a fare revision to help drivers sustain their families amid rising living costs.
Rathore also noted that the matter has reached the High Court, which had issued directives on the issue, yet no fare increase has been implemented. He remarked, “The government introduced the taxi scheme in 2015, and now it is 2026. CNG prices are increasing every few days, but the fares remain unchanged.”
He claimed that drivers associated with platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido are also supporting this strike.
The union has appealed to the government to understand the plight of the impoverished drivers and to expedite a fare increase so they can live with dignity.
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