Nagpur Airport Cab Strike Enters Seventh Day as Drivers Defy Police Warnings
Cab drivers at Nagpur's Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport have steadfastly refused to end their picketing and resume normal drop and pick-up services, despite receiving strict warnings from local police to vacate the premises. The ongoing agitation, now in its seventh consecutive day, shows no signs of abating as drivers insist that their strike will only conclude if management representatives from major cab aggregators—Ola, Uber, and Rapido—agree to come to the negotiation table.
Drivers' Demands: Fare Hikes and Removal of Bike Taxis
The app-based taxi drivers, organized under the Taxi Chalak Malak Kruti Samiti, have articulated clear demands that form the core of their protest. "We would end our strike after the talks," stated union leaders, emphasizing that even if negotiations fail, the aggregators should at least hear their grievances. The primary issues driving the strike include:
- A significant hike in the fare chart set by the aggregators to ensure better earnings for drivers.
- The complete removal of bike riders from the apps, as they offer cheaper rides that are severely impacting cab drivers' business.
Union leaders argue that bike taxis operate without the same regulatory oversight as cabs, creating an uneven playing field that threatens their livelihoods.
Passenger Inconvenience and Airport Disruption
The strike has caused considerable disruption at Nagpur airport, with passengers bearing the brunt of the agitation. On Tuesday, the seventh day of the protest, travelers were forced to walk nearly a kilometer in the blazing sun due to the absence of pick-up services near the arrival gate. The number of cabs bringing passengers to the departure gate was also minimal, and the designated parking area for app-based taxis remained eerily empty throughout the day.
Police Intervention and Proposed Negotiations
In an effort to mediate the standoff, union leaders met with DCP Zone 1 Rishi Reddy on Tuesday. The officer assured them that a meeting with management representatives of the cab aggregators would be arranged via video conferencing, with District Collector Kumar Ashirwad in attendance. "A meeting is expected to be held in a day or two, the strike may end soon after the parleys with the aggregators," said Rishi Kuwar, a leader of the Taxi Chalak Malak Sanyukt Kruti Samiti.
Broader Demands for Regulatory Action
Beyond negotiations with aggregators, the drivers are seeking separate talks with the district collector. They hope he will use his authority to ensure that bike taxis are brought under RTO rules similar to cabs or, alternatively, have the apps offering two-wheeler rides removed from mobile app stores. This demand underscores the drivers' frustration with what they perceive as regulatory loopholes that disadvantage traditional cab services.
The strike highlights growing tensions in India's gig economy, where app-based workers are increasingly vocal about fair compensation and equitable market conditions. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on whether the promised negotiations will lead to a resolution or if the stalemate will persist, further inconveniencing passengers and disrupting airport operations in Nagpur.
