Auto and taxi unions in Delhi to go on strike today

NEW DELHI: Public transport services are likely to be hit in the city on Wednesday due to a strike called by transporters, in protest against the Centre's new bill on road safety and transport.
Taxi and auto unions have announced one-day strike in protest against the 'Road Transport and Safety Bill-2014'. Both auto and black and yellow taxies will be off the road.

Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, which are a part of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, said that they are against the bill.

A number of bus unions, including a section of DTC employees, are also extending their support to the strike.

"In the bill, hefty fines have been proposed for minor traffic violation. Even for jumping a red light, hefty fines would be imposed on motorists which is not fair," Rajender Soni, general secretary of both the unions, said.

Soni also said that association will demand the state government to pay Rs 2,700 annual charge for GPS in vehicles.

Transporters claim that they will not operate at airport and railway stations which may cause commuting problems to thousands of passengers.

"This is a nationwide protest and we support the transporters. This bill is not in public interest. Government is copying policy of foreign countries by charging heavy fine and seizure of license for a year after 12 violations," Rampath Kasana of Delhi Parivahan Mazdoor Sangh said.

However, Delhi government said the strike will have no effect on the transport sector and usual number of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses will ply on the roads.