Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Union planned strike on Wednesday

Most auto and taxi unions, after their meeting with the transport commissioner on Sunday, called off their proposed 3-day strike, but not all. Of the 12 participating unions, Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Mens’ Union — the largest auto union led by Sharad Rao’s son Shashank — has plans to forge ahead with its planned strike on Wednesday.

The union claims that apart from the free rein to Uber and Ola cabs, there are issues of point-to-point bus and tourist cabs operating on both Western and Eastern Express Highways, need for government schemes for auto drivers and lack of action against illegal rickshaws on road.

Sources in the government said that they have asked private buses to operate and ferry people on Wednesday. Moreover, the BEST Undertaking will be running additional buses on road. “We have asked all the depot managers to run additional buses,” said a BEST official. These buses will be operating depending on the crowd in any particular area, especially commercial and office hubs.