Despite strike, auto rickshaws begin plying on Mumbai roads

Not all the auto rickshaws were off Mumbai’s suburban roads on Wednesday after a call for strike was given by one of the unions to pressure the government against cab aggregators like Uber, Ola, Taxi For Sure and Meru.

During the wee hours of Wednesday, there were hardly any auto rickshaws to be spotted on roads, but as the day progressed, during peak hours more auto rickshaw drivers started plying for their daily business.

The share-an-auto services were operating at the designated stands like any other days, those missing were operating as flag down.

Autos at a stand in Andheri East. (Aadesh Pokhare/dna)

Later in the day, it is expected that more auto rickshaws will start their business and by evening peak hours lesser inconvenience will be faced by Mumbaikars.

“It’s Ganpati festival after a couple of days, I will be travelling to my native at Konkan. As I won’t be operating during those few days, I thought to make up maximum before I reach by village to celebrate the festival,” said auto rickshaw driver Rupesh Sawant.

Not all the auto rickshaw unions have given a call to strike, only Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union went ahead with their decision. Among the demands by the union are to have a government policy on taxis operating with aggregators, ban of surge pricing, taxi meters, RTO approved fares and mandatory purchase of taxi permit.

“Till 10 am, the BEST operated 59 extra buses to absorb the inconvenience caused to commuters,” said Hanumant Gophane, spokesperson of BEST. These extra buses were operated from the bus depots of Malwani, Goregaon, Oshiwara, Magathane, Malad, Mulund, Vikhroli, Anik and Deonar.