Rickshaw strike in Kandivali over removal of stand

Hundreds of people were left without transport after rickshaw drivers cutting across union affiliations withdrew their vehicles from the roads in protest against the removal of share-auto stand just outside Kandivali station in east.

The stand had been removed a couple of days ago by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) but the agitation started in the morning today as letters sent to the transport authorities by rickshaw unions elicited no response.

The stand was removed on the basis of complaints from local leaders who had said that the rickshaw stand was creating a traffic gridlock in the area.

However rickshaw union leaders had another version. "The stand is approved by Regional Transport Office Andheri and had all valid documentation. In fact once a stand is approved it is the property of the state government. How could the BMC remove it this way?" questioned Thampi Kurien of the Mumbai Rickshawmen Union.

According to transport department officials, RTO officials have been sent to the spot to access the situation.