Vice President Anuj Kumar Rathore of the Chalak Shakti Union has announced a three-day strike beginning on May 21, aimed at addressing the stagnant fares for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Delhi. Rathore expressed frustration over the fact that fares have not been revised for the past 15 years, despite escalating costs of CNG, petrol, and diesel, which have severely impacted drivers' livelihoods. He stated, "The government must recognize the dire situation we face and take immediate action to revise our fares."
Rathore explained that the strike will involve not just auto and taxi drivers, but also drivers from app-based services like Ola and Uber. He indicated that the lack of fare adjustments has led to a situation where drivers are compelled to cancel rides due to unviable earnings, stating, "The customer books a ride, but the driver cancels it due to the low fare." He pointed out that this situation is exacerbated by what he describes as a monopoly of app-based companies in the transport sector.
- Government neglect — The union claims repeated appeals for fare revisions have been ignored.
- Legal action taken — Rathore has filed petitions in the High Court to compel fare revisions.
- Assurances unfulfilled — Despite promises from the Transport Commissioner, fare adjustments have not materialized.
Rathore noted that the Delhi Transport Department's Deputy Commissioner, Sanjay Ailawadi, had assured a fare increase of ₹20-25, with the necessary file sent to the Lieutenant Governor's office for approval. However, the lack of follow-through has left drivers feeling helpless. Rathore urged drivers to maintain solidarity during the strike, as he believes that only through collective action will the government take their demands seriously.
Furthermore, Rathore criticized certain government-affiliated transport organizations for spreading misinformation about the strike being called off, emphasizing that they are out of touch with the struggles faced by drivers. He concluded by reiterating the need for a unified front: "Only by standing together will we compel the government to listen and act on our behalf."
