Delhi cab, auto drivers threaten strike against CNG price hike, demand fare revision

Associations of auto, cab and taxi drivers will hold protests against the Centre as well as the city government at Jantar Mantar on Friday and at the Delhi Secretariat on April 11

With a sharp hike in CNG prices, auto, cab, and taxi drivers in the city have threatened to go on an "indefinite strike" from April 18 if the government doesn’t provide subsidy on the fuel or decrease the fare.

Associations of auto, cab and taxi drivers will hold protests against the Centre as well as the city government at Jantar Mantar on Friday and at the Delhi Secretariat on April 11 against rise in CNG prices.

Sarvodaya Drivers Welfare Association Ravi Rathor, who claims to have around 4 lakh drivers as members in Delhi-NCR, said that his association will go on an “indefinite strike” if their demands to reduce CNG prices or increase in fare are not fulfilled.

"We are demanding a reduction in CNG rates and if the prices cannot be slashed then the fare should be increased to cope with the price rise.

"There has been no revision in Ola and Uber fares for the last 7-8 years. In the protest tomorrow we will also take a call on an indefinite strike," Mr. Rathor told PTI.

Rajendra Soni, Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh's general secretary, said that the price hike in rates of CNG is "unprecedented" and it is becoming hard for taxi, cab, and auto drivers to survive.

Around 1 lakh auto rickshaws are currently plying in the national capital.