April 18, 2017
Many regular users of app-based cab aggregators Ola and Uber are busy chalking out their travel plans for Tuesday, as the drivers have called for a strike once again.
April 18, 2017
Many regular users of app-based cab aggregators Ola and Uber are busy chalking out their travel plans for Tuesday, as the drivers have called for a strike once again.
While some people said they have decided to take out their own cars to office, others said they would board the Metro. “I will still try for a cab in the app. But, if I don’t get a cab, I will take my own car to office,” said Gulshan Raheja, a resident of Punjabi Bagh, who works at Connaught Place.
But unlike the previous protest that lasted for two weeks and impacted lakhs of people in the city, the strike this time is going to be just one day.
Delhi-NCR residents got their first taste of Ola and Uber drivers’ strike against the cab companies in February this year, which went on for almost two weeks. Leading the fresh protest is Sarvodaya Drivers Association of Delhi (SDAD), the same drivers’ union that had organised the previous strike.
Most drivers of the estimated 1.5 lakh app-based taxis in Delhi-NCR have decided not to take out their vehicles on Tuesday. This time, the Ola and Uber drivers have found support from other unions too.
“It is the first time that 12 unions of autorickshaws and kaali-peeli taxis are joining us,” said Ravi Rathore of Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi (SDAD).
The unions also plan to conduct a protest march to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence in Civil Lines from the Majnu Ka Tila Gurudwara.
Rathore also said the app-based cab companies are flouting norms. “Ola and Uber are giving away cars with All India Taxi permits to drivers on a small down payment of R 35,000. As per the law, vehicles with these permits cannot be run on point-to-point basis. Only those with the NCR permit can,” he said.
Reacting to the call for protest, Uber said in a statement that this time, the drivers cannot obstruct others who are willing to come on duty. “The Delhi High Court has issued a perpetual injunction restraining unions, their leaders, members and their followers from preventing Uber drivers from going about their work. We are hopeful that the order will be effectively enforced and that action is taken against any person who attempts to block cars, confiscate devices or harass riders and drivers. The safety of everyone using the Uber app in Delhi is ensured,” the statement said.
Courtesy: HT
