Ola, Uber drivers strike hits commuters hard

Several lakh commuters in India's financial capital- Mumbai - were hit as cab aggregators Ola and Uber went on an indefinite strike from Monday.

Even New Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad were affected due to the strike.

The strike call in Mumbai was given by Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena (MNVS), the transport wing of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

"Our strike would continue till our demands are met and issues are resolved," MNVS President Sanjay Naik said.

In Mumbai, a local MNS leader broke the windshield of a taxi which was plying in the city amid protest calls.

While there was no response from Uber, Ola came out with a brief statement.

"We have been informed by the Mumbai Police that they have proactively taken all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of commuters during their cab rides in the city," an Ola spokesperson said.

Naik claimed that both Ola and Uber had promised big returns of more than Rs 1.25 lakh per month to cab drivers who invested anywhere between Rs 5 and 7 lakh.

"It is insufficient to cover the costs as the drivers earn Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000," he said.

The Mumbai Taximen's Union has supported the strike and its general secretary A L Quadros demanded that the Regional Transport Authority take strict action against Ola and Uber's managements, which are violating permit conditions and eating into the business of the autorickshaws and taxis in the city.