Patna: Commuters in Patna are facing major problems as around 20,000 auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw drivers began their two-day strike on Tuesday. People who travel daily by auto or e-rickshaw were seen waiting on roads or walking long distances to reach offices, schools, and colleges. The drivers have stopped operating their vehicles to protest against the city’s new traffic system, which they have called ‘anti-people’.
The strike is being led by the Auto and E-rickshaw Joint Sangharsh Morcha. Its leader, Pappu Yadav, said that the strike will continue today and tomorrow. He warned that they will not remain silent until the new traffic rules are withdrawn. According to him, autos and e-rickshaws will remain off the roads from Danapur to Patna City during the strike, and drivers will also hold demonstrations against the Transport Department and Traffic Police.
The drivers have raised ten main demands. They want the new traffic system to be cancelled because it is creating problems for them. They have also demanded that fitness centres should be opened within the city so that rural drivers do not face difficulties. Another demand is that the driving licence test should not be conducted by private agencies and should remain under government control. They also want proper charging stations for e-rickshaws and licence distribution camps to save time and money.
The Morcha has further demanded that app-based services like Ola, Uber, and Oyo should follow the same rules as autos and e-rickshaws so that there is fairness for all. Drivers say that if these traffic policies continue, their livelihoods will be in danger. Many passengers have expressed anger and helplessness over the situation as they struggle to find any transport during this two-day strike.
