Hyderabad: Autorickshaws remained off the city roads on Saturday, in response to an indefinite strike called by the Auto Drivers’ Unions, to press for an increase in the minimum fares. However, by evening, many autorickshaws were back on the roads. Many autorickshaw drivers made a killing by charging double fare during the day.
Autorickshaw unions claimed that about 1.2 lakh drivers participated in the strike. They claimed that the number will go up on Sunday and Monday. As always, it was the commuters who bore the brunt of the inconvenience. School autorickshaws didn’t turn up to drop the children and parents were stretched working out an ideal solution. Commuters didn’t seem amused by the strike.
“Nine out of ten autorickshaws don’t use the meter, but still want the minimum fare to be hiked. They demand Rs 20 or Rs 30 extra on the meter all the time. Even if the meter fare is increased, their demand will still be there. Fuel prices will keep rising and with it, their demands,” said Sneha Badlani, a software professional.
Some of the autorickshaw drivers, who were back on the roads in the evening, said they were not in support of the strike but were being forced to participate. “Those forcing us stand at certain junctions in crowded areas.
If they see an auto carrying a passenger, they break the glass and take away the money in our pockets,” said an autorickshaw driver. Some autorickshaw drivers were of the opinion that the traffic violation fines should be lowered, but the minimum fare need not be changed.
“Autorickshaw unions must first do something about teaching autorickshaw drivers traffic discipline rather than forcing them to go on a strike,” said A. Hari Prasad, a hydro power consultant.
Meanwhile, autorickshaw unions have claimed that the participation was total. B. Venkatesam, Coordinator, Auto Drivers’ Unions JAC, said, “Nearly 1.25 lakh autorickshaws participated in the strike on Saturday. More will participate tomorrow (Sunday).”
On the issue of fare hike, he said, “Once the fare is hiked, within 15 days everything will be normalised, and autorickshaw drivers won’t demand more money.”
