16 auto unions to resume indefinite strike from today in Pune

PUNE: At least 16 autorickshaw unions, which control more than 75,000 autorickshaws across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, plan to go ahead with the resumption of their indefinite strike from Monday (December 12) against the continuing operation of bike taxis.
On November 28, the auto unions had started the strike, but called it off the same evening after Pune's district guardian minister Chandrakant Patil assured them of action over the next two weeks.

The unions then gave a December 11 deadline for the state government to ensure that no bike taxi was operating on the roads. They have now pointed out that the state has barely acted on its assurance, leaving them with no option but to resume their strike.
"Our only demand is that bike taxi operations should stop in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. This has not happened and we will resume our strike from Monday," Keshav Kshirsagar, the president of Baghtoy Rickshawala and Bike Taxi Virodhi Andolan Samiti, told TOI.
"Last time, when we called off our strike, we were assured that a committee would be formed and bike taxi operations will be stopped. On December 6, a committee was formed under the Pune district collector after the guardian minister asked for a status report. Its first meeting was held on December 7 but against assurances, we were not made part of this committee or invited for discussions," he said.
In Pune district, Roppen Transportation's Rapido bike taxi service accounts for a huge market share, while there are a few other aggregators, who operate bike taxis. On November 29, the Bombay HC had set aside the Pune regional transport office's (RTO) October 20 notice, which had declared Roppen Transportation's bike taxi service as illegal. The HC then directed the RTO to consider afresh Roppen's application for grant of license to operate as an aggregator after giving the latter a hearing. Roppen filed a fresh application with the RTO on November 30, but no decision has been taken yet.
Pune's deputy RTO Sanjiv Bhor told TOI, "Roppen Transportation's application has been scrutinized and we have suggested them to act on several points which we thought are essential. Information has been sought from them about the identity of their drivers, driving licence and background such as address, family members etc. We have given the company time till December 16 to comply with requirements, following which we will take a final decision on their application."
On the auto union's call for resuming the strike, Bhor said, "We cannot do much to stop them. During the newly formed committee's meeting on December 7, the Pune police's deputy commissioner of police (cyber) was requested to act on the bike taxi mobile apps to stop them."
In an email response to TOI's query, Roppen Transportation's spokesperson said, "Ever since the HC order on November 29, no action had been taken against any of the ride captains. However, our captains are still being harassed by auto drivers."
A large number of commuters have been in favour of allowing bike taxis to operate. However, some had concerns about the ride captains not wearing helmets at times and not having a spare helmet for pillion riders (customers).
Roppen Transportation's spokesperson said, "Since the ride captains have been targeted, many have stopped using helmets with Rapido stickers provided by us. We do provide helmets for pillion riders, but have seen in Pune that safety awareness levels are still very low and riders are hesitant to wear helmets. However, we plan to run awareness campaigns on the same."
Meanwhile, PMPML has said that they will be bringing in additional buses if the strike takes place. "Like last time, we will be running around 1,750 buses for commuters. We are trying to get information on the latest developments," said PMPML traffic manager Dattatraya Zende.