What could give some relief to commuters on Thursday is that not all the auto rickshaws, taxis and Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) buses would go on strike on Thursday to protest against the Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2014.

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"We have made an appeal to unions who had earlier called for a strike and explained them that the state has been working on a plan to enact a separate law wherein the interest of state transport undertaking will be protected. Therefore, there is no reason for them to worry and go on a strike," said Jagdish Patil, general manager, BEST.

BEST buses and the staff will be protected as policemen will be posted at strategic locations to keep troublemakers under check.

Thampi Kurien of Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union said, "We are neither supporting nor opposing the strike. Our autorickshaws will be out of roads tomorrow." Even AL Quadros of Mumbai Taximen Union has distanced himself from the strike.

The strike has been called by various unions and federations across the nation to protest several provisions of Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2014 wherein the interests of workers are likely to get affected. The unions claim that millions of drivers, conductors and other workers will lose their jobs once the central government takes control of the transport sector. The fear that it sector may later be privatised.

Although on April 27 the Sharad Rao-led unions for autorickshaws, taxis and BEST buses were for a strike, they has not reconfirmed their stand till Wednesday evening.