Patna: Commuters across Patna faced significant inconvenience on Monday after auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw operators launched a strike in support of several pending demands. The protest affected public transport services across major routes in the state capital, leaving office-goers and daily passengers struggling to find transport amid intense summer heat.
Since early morning, auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws remained off the roads in several parts of the city, disrupting normal movement and increasing travel difficulties for residents.
Strike Affects Major Routes Across City
The strike involves operators running services from the Multi-Level Parking facility and Multi-Modal Hub near Buddha Smriti Park. The decision was taken by various auto unions during a meeting held on Sunday.
Union leaders said autos and e-rickshaws operating on routes including Nehru Road, Boring Road, Rajapur, Patliputra Station and Gandhi Maidan have joined the strike. Reserved autos have also remained off the roads in support of the protest.
The strike was announced by Bihar State Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union General Secretary Murtaza Ali, Progressive Auto Union leader Nathuni Sah, union General Secretary Naveen Mishra, and Gandhi Maidan Auto Drivers’ Union representatives Vijay Kumar and Sitaram Kumar.
Unions List Key Demands
According to union leaders, their primary demands include streamlining the operation of autos and e-rickshaws between Dak Bungalow and Patna Junction and taking action against alleged illegal transport stands operating between Station Golambar and Dak Bungalow.
The unions have also demanded the closure of an alleged unauthorised e-rickshaw stand operating between the Multi-Modal Hub and GPO Golambar.
Naveen Mishra said the current traffic and stand management system requires immediate intervention to ensure smoother operations and fair opportunities for registered operators.
Protest March Scheduled
As part of the agitation, auto unions have announced an “Aakrosh March” scheduled for 11 am on Monday.
The march will begin from the Multi-Level Parking Auto Stand and proceed via Dak Bungalow Chowk to Patna Junction. Union leaders said the demonstration is intended to draw the administration’s attention to their demands.
Warning of Wider Agitation
The unions have warned that if the administration fails to address their concerns, a larger district-wide strike could be launched in the coming days.
Murtaza Ali said authorities should strictly enforce rules preventing vehicles from picking up passengers from roadsides and ensure that boarding takes place only at designated stands.
He also said the unions would seek a revision of fares on the Phulwari Sharif–Patna route, proposing an increase from Rs 25 to Rs 30 in view of rising petrol and CNG prices.
