Traffic Chaos in Delhi as Protesting Cabbies Block Major Roads

Hundreds of cab drivers blocked NH-8 and Ring Road, protesting against the SC’s decision to ban diesel cabs in Delhi.

axi drivers protest in Delhi on Monday, a day after the Supreme Court ban on diesel taxis in the national capital came into effect. (Photo: PTI)

The city groaned under traffic woes on Monday as hundreds of cab drivers blocked National Highway 8 and Ring Road, protesting against action by enforcement agencies, following the Supreme Court’s decision to ban diesel taxis in Delhi.

In the early hours, a group of protesters blocked both carriageways near the Rajokri toll booth on National Highway 8, which led to a long tailback stretching over a kilometer in the area, traffic officials said

The congestion largely affected thousands of office-goers who travel between Delhi and Gurugram, linked by NH-8, and the traffic helpline was bombarded with calls from distressed commuters, officials said.

The second blockade directly hit traffic in areas including Sarai Kale Khan, Ashram, near PGDAV College in Nehru Nagar, Lajpat Nagar and Moolchand stretching up to AIIMS.

The protesters included the diesel cab drivers with All India tourist permits (AITP), who are exempted from the ban provided they operate outside NCR.

On Sunday, over a hundred diesel-run cabs, including many with AITP, ended up getting impounded after they were found plying within the city limits, following which the drivers alleged harassment by enforcement agencies.

According to Delhi transport department, about 60,000 taxis are registered in the national capital of which 27,000 run on diesel. Around 2,000 diesel-run taxis had converted into CNG mode in the last two months.