CNG Price Hike: Auto, Taxi & Mini Bus Drivers To Go On Strike Today

Unions have been calling for fee increases and a reduction in CNG pricing.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Commuters in Delhi may experience difficulties since numerous unions of the auto, taxi, and minibus drivers have announced to go on strike on Monday, news agency PTI reported.

Unions have been calling for fee increases and a reduction in CNG pricing.

While other unions have declared a one-day strike, the Sarvodaya Driver Association Delhi, which has members who work for cab aggregators, has declared an "indefinite" strike beginning Monday.

Despite the Delhi government's announcement to create a committee to study fare modification in a timely manner, the unions have declined to launch a walkout.

"We have decided to go on an indefinite strike from Monday in view of no action by the government to help us by slashing prices of fuels and revising fares," President, Sarvodaya Driver Association Delhi, Kamaljeet Gill was quoted by PTI in its report.

Rajendra Soni, general secretary of the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh, stated that the "unprecedented" increase in CNG pricing has taken a toll on auto and taxi drivers.

"We know that the Delhi government is forming some committee but we need solutions to our problems which are not in sight. We are demanding that the government (Centre and Delhi) provide Rs 35 per kg subsidy on CNG prices," he said.

Hundreds of auto, taxi and cab drivers recently protested outside the Delhi Secretariat, asking that CNG rates be subsidised.

"We cannot keep plying our autos and cabs bearing losses every day as the CNG prices are galloping. This is a symbolic protest to oppose the price hike," Soni said.

The city's public transportation system is supplemented by over 90,000 vehicles and over 80,000 licenced taxis.

Shyamlal Gola, general secretary of STA Operators Ekta Manch, stated that RTV buses, totalling over 10,000, will also remain off the road in favour of the requests to revise tariffs and lower CNG costs.

The feeder buses play an important role in providing a last-mile connections from Metro stations to city neighbourhoods.

(With PTI Inputs)