Protest by cab drivers enters 8th day; commuters remain hapless

Commuters across Delhi-NCR continued to face problems as drivers of cab-aggregators Ola and Uber stretched their protests for the eighth day on Friday.

Several commuters, who were seen trying to hail cabs on various city roads, complained that the situation far from normal, as no cabs were being available despite the aggregators claiming that services had resumed partially. Commuters also mentioned of a sudden spurt in fare, in addition to a waiting time of 20-30 minutes – instead of the usual two to five minutes – for affiliated cabs of Ola and Uber, which are on road to ease the problem.

"This is the eighth day that we are not able to get the service. The claims of cab agencies that services have resumed are false, as no cab arrived despite making regular attempts to book a cab at the crowded Dhaula Kuan stretch. Taking advantage of the situation, a few drivers have started charging double by plying their vehicles privately and people have no option other than paying them," said Deepak Jain, an IT professional working with a private firm in Gurugram.

Many commuters, stranded at different locations, said that their daily schedule has been affected as they are finding it difficult to shuffle between their place of work and home. "Because of a discord between the drivers' associations and the cab agencies, the working class is suffering. To end the deadlock, the regulatory authorities should intervene and ensure that no commuter faces hardship," said Avinash Tiwari, a manager working with an export house in Gurugram, who has to leave his house in Delhi's Dwarka.

Meanwhile, Delhi Transport minister Satyendar Jain had asked the city police to crackdown on violent protesters. Speaking about the measures taken by the government to control the situation, he said: "On reports of driver violence and damage to property, I would urge the police to take strict and stern measures. This violence and vandalism on the roads cannot continue.

Unless action is taken, it will almost be as if the vandalism is being allowed. No one can be given an opportunity to take the law in their hands. Those who want to protest should then stay home. How can they be roaming on the streets and vandalising cars?"