Commuters and students in the city of Hyderabad witnessed a chaotic morning as auto-rickshaw drivers called a strike today, which has left many people stranded in search of alternative transport solutions for their children and themselves as well. Organised by the Informal Labourer and Workers Welfare Federation (ILWF), the strike has been extremely effective as it has managed to keep a large number of vehicles off the roads of the city.
The strike is centered around two major issues. First, the drivers are demanding that auto-rickshaws from other districts not be allowed in the city, as they are reducing what little income the drivers have. Second, they are pushing for an immediate hike in meter fares. Many drivers on the ground noted that fares haven't been updated in years, making it nearly impossible to keep up with the rising cost of living — especially with the added pressure of competing against app-based giants like Ola, Uber, and Rapido.
Adding to their frustration is the state government’s free bus travel scheme for women. While popular with the public, drivers say the policy has gutted their primary passenger base, forcing them into a corner. Tensions flared in some neighborhoods this morning as union members were seen stopping the few autos still running, even those carrying students to school, to ensure the strike remained total.
The ripple effect has been felt across the city’s digital transport network. With autos unavailable, the demand for app-based cabs surged. Schools saw a surge in traffic at their gates as parents had to step in to drop off their children personally.
As of now, the government has not signaled whether it is ready to sit down for talks regarding fare revisions or the district entry restrictions.
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