Kolkata: Taxis go on indefinite strike over demands of fare hike

Kolkata: Taxis went off the roads in the metropolis on Thursday in response to an indefinite strike called by Left-backed unions, inconveniencing office-goers and long distance passengers at the railway stations and airport.

Following withdrawal of about 50,000 taxis from the roads for the eighth time since August, other public transport system comprising buses, trams and the Metro were overcrowded.

There were no taxis at the airport and the two major railway stations at Howrah and Sealdah causing hardship to long distance travellers.

“Buses are refusing to carry bulky bags. How will I go home,” Sarmistha Basu, waiting with her family at Sealdah station, said.

Moreover, there were not many buses on the roads also, a day after Viswakarma puja, with many drivers still in the festive spirit and some leaving for their native homes in view of the total transport strike tomorrow.

The CITU, along with five other trade unions, had called the indefinite taxi strike from Thursday and a total transport strike on 19 September.

The strike call was given in support of various demands by the owners including a fare hike and dropping of legal proceedings against 450 cabbies.

Since 7 August, taxi unions have been calling flash strikes, urging the state government to raise fares, drop legal proceedings against 450 taxi-owners and put a stop to imposing penalty of Rs 3,000 for passenger refusal.

“Taxi fares were last revised in 2012. Fuel prices increased 12 times ever since then. Taxi fares, however, have remained the same. Drivers pay out of their pockets for the fuel. How will they earn their living if fares are not at par with fuel prices? Anadi Sahu of Citu had said.

PTI