Transport services were partially hit in different parts of the national capital today as auto rickshaws, 'kaali-peeli' taxis and some public buses went off the roads as part of a day-long strike in protest against the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill.
People faced difficulty in commuting, especially from railway stations and the airport.
Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, which are a part of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, and number of bus unions, including a section of DTC employees, supported the nationwide call for strike by various transport unions against the Bill.
"Strike was effective as most of the autorickshaws and taxis remained off the road," Rajender Soni, general secretary of both the unions, said.
"We went to meet Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari who was unavailable. But we were assured by his office that soon a joint meeting will be called and our problem will be addressed," he said.
Transport unions claim that the new bill has provisions for hefty fines for minor traffic violations.
Delhi Transport Department maintained that their services remained regular and commuters did not face much trouble.
Despite few associations extending their support to strike, auto-rickshaws were seen operating in several parts, with some passengers complaining of overcharging.
