Share autos, cabbies likely to stay off road for next two days

This nationwide strike was organized with an aim to register their protest against a few provisions mentioned in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) bill, 2017.

The workers are protesting against the government’s plans to privatize the ownership of autorickshaws and contract carriages, regulating mechanic shops and driving schools, and for revised yearly third-party insurance premium. 

The proposed bill would pave way for privatizing the works carried out by regional road transport offices, including issuance of licenses, vehicle certificates and registration. 

Working president of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), P Balakrishnan, said, “Except the workers affiliated to the ruling party, the members of all the other unions will take part in the protest. The MTC bus services will not be affected severely on the first day. On the following day it will be mildly hit, affecting a section of commuters.”

Apart from this, the call taxi drivers are planning to join with the other transport workers. 

The Chennai Motor Vehicle Workers Association, general secretary, Pa Anbazhagan said, “The share autos will be operating a skeletal service for two days. While the autos will be operating as usual on January 8, pulling a sizeable number off roads on the following day. Further, the transport workers attached to the Southern part of the city are planning to stage a rail roko at Guindy Railway station on January 9. In other parts, including Chennai Central, the demonstrations will be staged.”

In the strike, nearly 14 Transport Workers Unions would be taking part. Apparently, the private water tanker associations will distance itself from the strike and will continue to operate the services in the usual manner.  Also, the essential services including milk and ambulance services will remain unaffected. The strike will be observed till 6 pm in the evening.