NCR commuters badly hit, face serious difficulties to reach destinations

The ongoing strike called by DTC bus drivers in and around the Capital also affected NCR badly on Monday. The daily commuters, especially office-goers, who commute from different parts of the city to another, faced serious difficulties to reach their destinations. 

The strike not only caused huge crowds at bus stops waiting for commutation but also witnessed unprecedented footfall at several Metro stations. 

What was worse was auto and taxi drivers charged more than double fare from commuters. 

DTC buses not only connect various parts of the national Capital but also act as a lifeline in Noida and Ghaziabad. 

With almost more than 200 DTC buses off the roads, operating between Delhi-Noida and Delhi-Ghaziabad on Monday along with other routes, thousands of commuters were stranded and were charged heavily by auto and taxi drivers. 

As there was no alternate arrangement by the concerned authorities to ferry passengers, it was a chaotic situation at most bus shelters. During the morning hours, commuters were forced to pay heavy charges for auto-rickshaws, taxis, RTVs and the like. “The drivers of private vehicles took advantage of the strike and hiked fares and charged almost more than double. I take a DTC bus from Kalyanpuri to Noida Golf Course metro station and the fare is Rs 20 but today (Monday) due to the strike, I paid Rs 60 to a private vehicle. Private vehicles which ply on local routes are charging Rs 30 instead of Rs 10,” said Deepak Singh, an executive working with a garment company in Noida. 

Abhishek Ruhhela, a commuter, who was negotiating with an auto driver in front of GIP mall in Noida, said: “I have been waiting for a bus for the last couple of hours but not a single one has come yet. I have to go to South Extension and the auto drivers are demanding Rs 500 while the actual fare is less than Rs 300. The shared autos are charging Rs 300 which is quite high. At least, the local authorities should make alternate arrangements during such strikes.”

It may be noted that DTC employees are on strike to protest against the death of their 42-year-old colleague, who was killed in a road rage incident. Driver Ashok Kumar was beaten to death by a biker, named Vijay in Mundka, following a heated argument over an accident.