Monday nightmare: strikes hit transport services, commuters face hardships

Harried commuters faced hardships in reaching their destinations as strikes and protests by various taxi unions, contractual transport employees and closure of petrol pumps against the Delhi government's refusal to cut sales tax on petrol and diesel hit transport services in the city Monday.

A protest was held at the headquarters of Delhi Transport Corporation by an organisation of contractual employees demanding parity in wages, and taking back order for reducing wages.

There were also reports that some employees tried to disrupt bus services at depots of the public transporter.

A DTC official said several employees tried to obstruct plying of buses and the concerned regional and depot managers have been directed to identify and take appropriate action against them.

Leaders of contractual employees claimed that about "50 per cent" buses could not run due to the strike.

"The strike will continue indefinitely with more employees joining it. Today, nearly 50 per cent buses were not on roads," said Manoj Sharma, president of DTC Contractual Employees Union.

The buses ran packed to capacity as services were affected and also because the some taxi unions had given a call of strike.

Taxi and auto unions affiliated to Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti were also on strike Monday against the Delhi government's "anti transport policies" and impact on their employment due to cab aggregators.

"The strike was to express our resentment over failure of the government to redress our grievances," said Inderjeet Singh, chairman of All India Tour and Transport Association and convener of the joint forum.

"Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers are losing their employment due to wrong transport polices of the government and also due to low fares offered to commuters by cab aggregators," he said.

The situation was further worsened by the closure of petrol pumps and CNG filling stations in the city on a call of strike given by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA).

One day strike by over 400 petrol pumps along with linked CNG dispensing units was held in protest against Delhi government's refusal to reduce VAT on fuels.

"We regret the disruption caused to our rider and driver-partner community, due to a small group of individuals. We remain committed to serving the city and ensuring that our driver partners continue to access a stable income, while giving riders a convenient, reliable option to get around Delhi," said an Uber spokesperson.