Ola, Uber Strike: Drivers to Gherao Transport Minister’s House

A cab shortage similar to last week might be experienced on Tuesday, even though 60% cabs are reportedly plying.

Ola and Uber drivers are on strike in the national capital. (Photo: The Quint)

Sarvodaya Drivers Association of Delhi (SDAD), which claims to represent 1.5 lakh drivers, said it will "gherao" Transport Minister Satyendar Jain's residence on Tuesday. The aim of the protest march would be to meet the minister and ask for his intervention.

A Hindustan Times report quoted Kamaljeet Gill, president of the union, as saying:

The protest march will culminate at the residence of transport minister Satyendar Jain. All drivers will sit on dharna in front of his official residence at Civil Lines.

Though SDAD vice-president Ravi Rathore acknowledged that at least 60 percent of the cabs were plying presently, the report suggests that a cab shortage similar to last week might be experienced on Tuesday.

Also Read: Ola, Uber Drivers Call Strike in Delhi Over Low Fares & Incentives

Few members of the association continued demonstrating at Jantar Mantar for the eleventh straight day. They also met BJP leader and North Delhi Mayor Ravinder Gupta in this regard at the Delhi BJP office.

Also Read: HC Tells Cops to Ensure Safety of Ola, Uber Drivers Not on Strike

On Sunday, Rathore had hinted at calling off the strike in next one or two days citing financial problems being faced by drivers.

The drivers had called the strike demanding an increase in fares from the existing Rs 6 per km and also removal of the 25 percent commission these cab aggregators charge them on every booking.

The drivers have also been protesting the lack of basic amenities like insurance and medical covers extended to them by these app-based cab services.

Meanwhile, cabs were fairly easy to find on Uber and Ola's apps throughout the day.

On Monday, the Hindustan Times report added, fares were also higher than normal despite the availability of cabs in Delhi-NCR. Additionally, the waiting time during peak hours went as high as 15 minutes.

(With inputs from PTI.)