Commuters Face Trouble as Private Buses, Autos & Cabs Go on Strike
Transport operators under United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) have called for a ‘Chakka Jam’ in Delhi-NCR.
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Commuters had a difficult time travelling to their destinations on Thursday, 19 September, as several private buses, taxis and autorickshaws remained off the roads due to a strike called by the UFTA against the amended Motor Vehicle Act provisions.
Many schools in the national capital remained closed due to the strike while some asked parents to make their own arrangements to pick up and drop their wards.
The services of Delhi Metro, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses remained unaffected.
- The transport operators are protesting hefty fines under the amended MV Act, including ‘harassment and extortion’ by the police
- The central government’s promise of insurance and medical assistance and revocation of amendment to Section 44AE of the IT Act are the other demands
- The UFTA, which has called the protest, is a joint front of transport associations and unions from across Delhi-NCR
Loaded Trucks Not Being Allowed to Leave Transport Nagar
Protestors are not allowing loaded trucks to leave Transport Nagar.
Will Go for Indefinite Strike if Demands are Not Met: UFTA President
Speaking to The Quint, Kultaran Singh Atwal, President of United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) said that the unions will go for an indefinite strike across the country if their demands are not met.
Heavy Security Deployed in Transport Nagar
Heavy security has been put up at Transport Nagar, where protestors are expected to assemble.
Very Few Commercial Buses Plying in Delhi
Most of the bus stands in Delhi wear a deserted look as very few commercial buses are plying. However, UPSRTC buses can be seen operating.
Auto Drivers Unsure About Joining Strike
Auto drivers in Delhi are unsure about joining the strike. Speaking to news agency ANI, an auto driver said that we do not want to participate in the strike but will do so if everyone else joins.
Speaking to The Quint, auto drivers in Noida echoed similar views.
Airlines Ask Fliers to Plan Travel in Advance
Multiple airlines like GoAir, Vistara and SpiceJet have asked their fliers to plan their travel, in view of the scarcity of cabs and autos.
Office-Goers Face Difficulties Due to Transport Strike
Office-goers faced difficulties in reaching their workplaces on Thursday morning as several private buses, taxis and autorickshaws remained off the roads.
Ola, Uber Cabs Reportedly Being Stopped
According to a report by Navbharat Times, Ola and Uber cabs were being asked to stop in Noida Sector 61 area by those organising the strike.
Several Schools Likely to Remain Shut
Several schools in Delhi-NCR are likely to remain shut on Thursday due to the transport strike. Many parents received messages from schools informing them that educational institutes will be closed on Thursday.
"Most of the schools have announced off due to strike of transporters and preparatory leave of ongoing exams," said Bharat Arora, general secretary of the Action Committee of unaided recognised private schools.
Motor Vehicles Act 2019 a 'Tughlaqi Farman', Says UFTA Vice-President
Transport Services to Be Affected Across Delhi-NCR on Thursday
United Front president and chairman of the All India Motor Transport Congress, Kultaran Singh Atwal, told The Quint on Wednesday that a ‘Chakka Jam’ will be organised collectively by the drivers of auto-rickshaws, taxis, mini buses, trucks and luxury buses in the national capital on Thursday, 19 September, to protest the imposition of heavy fines, among other things under the New Motor Vehicles Act.
Transport services will be affected across Delhi-NCR, including in Ghaziabad, Noida, Meerut, Faridabad and Panipat, Singh said.
Asserting that no compensation is provided to the families of the deceased drivers, Singh further said that health insurance and other medical aid for truck drivers also figures in the list of demands sent to the government.
12,000 Workers Expected to Join Protest Today
Dinesh Pandit, a member of the truckers association organising the strike, told The Quint on Wednesday that around 12,000 workers are expected to join the protest at Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar in Delhi around 5 pm today.
Sandeep Sharma, another member from the ‘Bhaichaara Association’, said “we are here to protest the new Act introduced by the government.”
“We have listed our demands in a letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, and we have gathered here today to stage a protest against the government's new transport rules,” Sharma said, adding that “We will continue to protest till the time the government accepts our demands”.
Police Force Deployed at the Spot to Avoid Mishap
Police force and CRPF personnel have been deployed at the spot to avoid any untoward incident.
Truck Operators Threaten to Surrender Papers If Challan Rates Are Not Reduced
Truck operators on Wednesday gave an ultimatum to the government, saying if challan rates are not reduced then they will surrender their papers and become non-operational.
The organisers of the strike made an appeal to both the central and and the state government.
Truck Operators Hold Protest at Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar in Delhi
The All India Truck Operator Welfare Association is holding a protest at Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar in Delhi. Truck operators from Hisar, Jindh, Rohtak, Sanpla, Bahadurgarh, Tikrikala, Nangloi and Delhi are assembling at the spot.
Transport Association Calls for 'Chakka Jam' in Delhi-NCR on 19 Sept
Transport operators under the banner of United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) have called for a 'Chakka Jam' across Delhi-NCR region on Thursday, 19 September, to protest steep fines introduced under the amended MV Act, high toll taxes, among other issues.
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