Autorickshaw services likely to be hit today

An autorickshaw driver showing placard in support of autos going on strike in Bengaluru demanding the ban of bike taxis.

An autorickshaw driver exhibiting placard in guidance of autos heading on strike in Bengaluru demanding the ban of bike taxis.
| Image Credit score: Particular Arrangement

Bangalore Auto Drivers Unions’ Federation has decided to observe a 24-hour strike with effect from midnight on Sunday.

Bangalore Vehicle Motorists Unions’ Federation has decided to notice a 24-hour strike with result from midnight on Sunday.
| Picture Credit:
Particular Arrangement

Autorickshaw services in the city are probable to be influenced today as about 20 auto drivers’ unions, beneath the banner of Bangalore Automobile Motorists Unions’ Federation, have made a decision to observe a 24-hour strike with outcome from midnight on Sunday.

The federation has been demanding that the State authorities ban bicycle taxi companies presented by mobile application-based aggregators in the town. Motorists allege that aggregators are delivering “illegal “bike taxi expert services with out obtaining any license from the Transportation Division and attaching white boards two-wheelers (intended for private use) by luring the youth. Motorists allege that in the city for a long time, lakhs of family members depend on income generated by managing autorickshaws and the unlawful bike taxi business enterprise is taking in into their earnings.

M. Manjunath of the Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers‘ Union said, “In the city, there are around 2.1 lakh autos. We have been jogging autos by acquiring permits from the Transport Section. On other hand, the division has allowed the aggregators to give bicycle taxi products and services devoid of any license. Due to the fact of this, motorists are suffering in the city. We want the Condition government to initiate action versus the aggregators working illegal businesses. By now lots of governments in Maharashtra, Delhi and other individuals have imposed a ban, we want Karnataka to do the exact to protect the interest of auto motorists.” Mr. Manjunath claimed that 21 automobile motorists unions in the city are supporting the strike simply call.

On Monday, drivers will post a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding an quick ban on bicycle taxis after getting out a rally from KSR Bengaluru Railway station to the formal home of CM on Race Program Road.

On the requires of auto drivers, Transport Commissioner S.N. Siddaramappa had explained, “The concern linked to aggregators is pending just before the Karnataka Superior Courtroom. The courtroom experienced earlier directed the division not to just take any coercive action.”

Bike taxi riders stage protest

Riders from Bike Taxi Association of Bengaluru, staging a silent peaceful protest at Freedom park, condemning the attacks on bike taxi riders, and other issues, in Bengaluru on March 19, 2023.

Riders from Bike Taxi Affiliation of Bengaluru, staging a silent tranquil protest at Freedom park, condemning the attacks on bike taxi riders, and other issues, in Bengaluru on March 19, 2023.
| Picture Credit history:
K. MURALI KUMAR

Meanwhile, those people who have hooked up two-wheelers with aggregators staged a protest at Freedom Park towards harassment by automobile motorists.

Sandeep (name transformed), a bike taxi rider, stated, “It has been 5 many years that I have been earning my livelihood by driving a bicycle taxi. Like me, there are hundreds of men and women who have connected their bikes to the aggregators. We typically turn into targets of car drivers for driving bike taxis. If the bicycle taxi business enterprise is illegal, the departments anxious ought to take motion in opposition to the support providers. Why are the automobile drivers concentrating on us? We much too have family members like them. There are lots of cases of autorickshaw drivers harassing bike taxi riders by snatching their mobiles and destroying their helmets. These sorts of harassment ought to quit.”