Taxi unions to stop plying cabs in protest against bike taxis

Kolkata: Taxi unions have decided to stop plying of taxis to protest against the illegal plying of bike taxis from November 15.

"The members of Bengal Taxi Association, Calcutta Taxi Association, West Bengal Drivers' Welfare Association and West Bengal Taxi Workers' Union conducted a meeting today. We have decided not to run meter taxis from November 15. This is to protest against the illegal plying of bike taxis," said Bimal Kumar Guha, general secretary of Bengal Taxi Association.

He reiterated that the protest is also against police atrocities on the taxi drivers. No delay in delivery of licenses, increase in the night charge fare and setting up of government taxi stands at different corners of the city are their other demands.

"At present, there are

22,000 taxis plying across the city. We will die unnatural deaths if the taxi fare remains constant and cost of maintenance increases. After paying for diesel and traffic fines, a driver carries home between Rs 250 and Rs 300 a day," Guha pointed out.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Taxi Operators' Union has also decided to stage a demonstration at Howrah station on November 11.

"The police harassment in Howrah has increased a lot. On October 26, a taxi driver was brutally beaten up by a police sergeant in Howrah. That is why we have decided to demonstrate at Howrah station," said Nawal Kishore Shrivastav, president of Kolkata Taxi Operators' Union.