The city's auto and taxi unions today went on an indefinite strike against app-based taxi services, causing hardship to thousands of commuters, even as the AAP government called the protest "BJP-sponsored".
Commuters were left stranded at various place including railway stations, ISBTs, airport and metro stations due to the strike called by Joint Action Committee formed by 20 auto and taxis (yellow-black) unions.
The Committee claimed about 85,000 auto-rickshaws and 15,000 yellow-black taxis went off roads due to the strike.
Rajendra Soni, member of the JAC, said the strike will continue till the city government takes strict action against the "operations of Ola and Uber which don't have permits from the transport department to ply in the national capital".
Around 10 members of the JAC will sit on a hunger strike outside the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence tomorrow.
At New Delhi Railway station, some drivers were spotted preventing a taxi from ferrying a passenger. Some protesters were seen indulging in such practice at places like railway and metro stations.
Rajesh Sharma, who with his sister Rekha arrived at New Delhi Railway Station from Patna this morning, said he waited for one-and-half-hour but could not find a single auto or taxi to reach his uncle's house in East Delhi's Patparganj.
In view of the strike, the Delhi government has deployed additional 300 buses from ISBTs and Railway stations.
The DTC said, "All regional and depot managers are on line in their respective regions to ensure smooth operation of buses in Delhi and NCR." It has also issued a toll free number (1800118181) for any kind of enquiry regarding DTC buses.
"The operations of Uber and Ola are illegal as they don't have permits to run their taxis in Delhi but despite that the government is allowing them to take away our livelihoods.
"The government has assured us on several occasions to take action against these services but so far they have not," said Soni, whose unions - Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union and Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh - are backed by RSS.
Kishan Verma, president of All Delhi Auto-Taxi Transport Congress Union (ADATTCU), said drivers of yellow-black taxis and auto-rickshaws have been asked not to ply their vehicles tomorrow as well.
Delhi Transport Minister Satyendar Jain called the strike "BJP-sponsored" and said despite requesting the Lt Governor and the Delhi Police Commissioner, no appropriate arrangements were made to ensure commuters don't face problem while using public transport.
"The strike has been managed by the BJP. It is BJP sponsored. Delhi Transport Department yesterday wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner to deploy cops at bus stops, railway stations. There were mischief elements that prevented auto and taxi drivers from plying their vehicles," he said.
Jain claimed only two to four per cent of the auto-
rickshaw drivers are on strike. The minister accused the police of not taking action against rowdy elements because they know that "they (the strikers) are from the BJP".
It's perhaps for the first time that the unions, which are affiliated to rival political parties including BJP and Congress, in the city, have come together and given a joint call for a strike.
A senior government official said many auto drivers have called up to say they are being threatened. They are being told the roof cover of their autos will be cut with blade if they ply, which could cost them at least Rs 5,000.
A government spokesperson said banning the operations of app-based cab services do not come under the ambit of the city administration and instead the Centre should do something.
"The operations of Ola and Uber are illegal in Delhi as they don't have permit from the Delhi transport department to ply their taxis. We have already written to the Centre to block server of Uber, but the Union government said that it cannot do so as its main server is in USA.
"During the second phase of odd-even, the Chief Minister had also threatened to take action against app-based cab services over complaints of surge pricing," the official said.
