Delhi Transport Strike Updates: Protesters force passengers out of cabs, autos as strike turns violent in some parts, say reports

#transportstrike trends on Twitter, netizens complain about no vehicular movement

With the transport strike effecting the vehicular movement in Delhi, netizens took to Twitter to express the trouble they faced while reaching their workplaces. Hashtag like #transportstrike even started trending on social media with Twitterati complaining about the strike. 

Anyone getting cabs in Noida ? Trying for 40 minutes.
A friend was stopped mid way , once he got a cab after 30 minutes of wait.#TransportStrike

— Sumedha Mahajan🇮🇳 (@shadesandmuses) September 19, 2019

Over 40 transport associations, unions take part in transport strike

Over 40 transport associations are protesting and around two lakh vehicles are on strike. “We are not supporting anyone who are causing nuisance on the road,” says Rajendra Kapoor, convenor of United Front of Transport Associations

Motorists to be charged Rs 20,000 fine for odd-eveb scheme violation

Violation of the odd-even road rationing rule which is scheduled to kickstart from 4 November in Delhi will invite a fine of Rs 20,000 as per the amended Motor Vehicles Act, officials said on Thursday.

The odd-even scheme involves plying of vehicles on alternate days as per the last odd or even digit of their registration numbers.

Earlier, when the odd-even scheme was imposed by the Delhi government in January and April, 2016, the violation was punishable with a fine of Rs 2,000.

Anticipating transport disruptions in Delhi, major airlines issue advisory

Major airlines like IndiGo, Air Asia, Vistara have notified passengers about the ongoing transport strike in Delhi to avoid any disruption and advised them to make their arrangements accordingly.

“We’re anticipating transport disruptions due to the transport strike in #Delhi tomorrow, 19th Sept'19. Passengers travelling to/from Delhi airport are requested to make their arrangements accordingly,” tweeted IndiGo.

#6ETravelAdvisory: We're anticipating transport disruptions due to the transport strike in #Delhi tomorrow, 19th Sept'19. Passengers travelling to/from Delhi airport are requested to make their arrangements accordingly.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) September 18, 2019

Parents were intimated about school closure through SMSes in view of strikes

Many parents received SMSs from schools intimating them about the closure in view of the day-long strike, reports NDTV.

A message from GD Salwan Public school read: “Dear parent, on account of the strike called by private transporters under the banner of the United Front of Transport Association in Delhi/NCR, the school shall remain closed for the students of classes nursery, KG and 10th on 19/09/2019.”

Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, and many other schools remain shut and many other schools closed on Thursday in view of the union stikes.

Protestors stop cabs/auto carrying passengers 

According to CNN News18, the protest turned unruly in some parts of the national capital with transport workers forcing passengers out of cabs and autos. In Akshardham area, a cab was also vandalised for reportedly ferrying passengers despite the strike call.

What are some of the new fines under the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019?

– Penalty for drunken driving has been increased to 6 months imprisonment and/or Rs 10,000 fine for the first offence; two years imprisonment and/or fine of Rs 15,000 for second offence.

– Penalty for racing and speeding has been increased to imprisonment of up to 1 month and/or fine up to Rs 500 for first offence; imprisonment of up to 1 month and/or fine of up to Rs 10,000 for second offence.

– Penalty for travelling without ticket has been increased from up to Rs 200 to Rs 500.

– Penalty for unauthorised use of vehicle without licence has been increased from up to Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000.

Bring back the old system of fines, says general secretary of Delhi taxi union

Rajendra Soni, General Secretary of Delhi Taxi Union slammed the Centre for the hike in fines under the new Motor Vehicle Amendment, saying “Centre needs to cut back on the new fines since most of the taxi drivers are poor and cannot afford it if fined.” He also told CNN News18 that with Ola/Uber coming into the market, the taxi drivers are already affected. 

He further added, “Bring back the old fines, these new fines need to go!”

Situation in Gurugram normal, auto and cab drivers not even aware of strike call, claim reports

The transport strike call by the United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) however did not have any effect in Gurugram, where reports have claimed the situation to be normal. The auto and cab drivers in the region were not even aware of the strike called by the transport union.

What is Motor Vehicles Act?

The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019, which contains 63 provisions that deal with penalties, licenses, registration and the National Transport Policy, was implemented from 1 September, 2019. The new law will enhance the penalty for unauthorised use of vehicles without licence to Rs 5,000 from Rs 1,000. Besides, the penalty for driving without license will go up from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.

The Act will also increase the penalty for drunken driving to imprisonment up to 6 months and/or fine up to Rs 10,000 for the first offence, and imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine of Rs 15,000 for the second offence.

Delhi Metro and DTC buses service remain unaffected

Although office-goers faced difficulties in reaching their workplaces on Thursday morning as several private buses, taxis and autorickshaws remained off the roads after a strike called by the UFTA against the new MV Act provisions, services of Delhi Metro and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses remained unaffected.

Kishore Lal, a government employee, said he had to take the metro as the daily chartered bus from his residential colony to his office did not ply.

“We waited for 15 minutes but the bus did not come. So we are taking the metro now,” Lal, whose office is at the CGO complex, said.

The DTC buses were more crowded than usual due to the extra load of passengers. 

PTI

RECAP | Majority of states on board over new motor Act, says Gadkari

Earlier on Tuesday, Nitin Gadkari asserted that majority of the states are on board with regard to the new motor law and it is well within their right to make changes in penalties where a range of fines for traffic violations has been fixed.

The Road Transport and Highways Minister said that by and large people have welcomed the new Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act and he is hopeful of reduction in the number of deaths related to road accidents.

RECAP | Indian Youth Congress held protest outside Nitin Gadkari’s house

The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on 10 September held a protest outside the residence of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, raising slogans against the government and even lifting up a scooter in the air to mark their protest.

Traffic affected from Majnu ka Tila to Nigambodh Ghat: Delhi Police

The Delhi Police has issued an advisory saying that traffic is affected from the stretch of Majnu ka Tila to Nigambodh Ghat. 

Traffic Alert

Traffic is affected from Majnu ka Tila to Nigambodh Ghat. Kindly avoid the stretch.

— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) September 19, 2019

Protest only option as government ignoring our demands, says Noida cabs association president

The Noida cabs association president Yogesh Verma said, “For 19 September all companies have been notified that cab services will be affected. We have listed some demands. The government is not ready to listen to our demands, so we have no other choice but to go on strike.”

As many as 50,000 vehicles are expected to stay off roads in Delhi, NCR

In a press conference, the Noida Transport United Front (NTUF) also called for a strike on Thursday alongside cab associations, CNG auto associations and bus operators. Around 50,000 transport vehicles are expected to stay off the roads.

United Front of Transport Associations calls for strike to highlight issues like hiked penalties

The decision to call a strike was taken by the United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) to highlight issues including hiked penalties, Section 44AE of Income Tax Act, Rs 5 lakh cap on payment of vehicular insurance by insurance companies and also legislations on the health insurance of drivers.

Several schools in Delhi-NCR region expected to remain shut, say reports

The protest called by the commercial transport operators is likely to cause a huge inconvenience to commuters. Many reports also said that several schools in the Delhi-NCR region will remain shut due to the unavailability of buses on Thursday.

Thirty Four transport unions, including OLA and Uber cab drivers to protest till 10 pm 

Thirty-four associations of autos, taxis, private school buses, maxi cabs, OLA and Uber cabs, cluster buses under STA, Gramin Seva and large commercial vehicles have called for a strike on Thursday from morning 6 am to 10 pm.

Protest against hefty fines under amended motor vehicles in Delhi and Noida

Transport associations in Delhi and Noida have called for a strike on Thursday as a protest against the steep hike in penalties for road traffic violations under the newly amended Motor Vehicles Act.