Cabbies End Strike After Collector Promises Action Against Bike Taxis Nagpur: A week-long strike by app-based cab drivers at the city's airport concluded on Wednesday night after district collector Kumar Ashirwad assured action against bike taxi operators violating transportation regulations. The drivers had protested for seven days, demanding higher fares and the removal of bike riders from aggregator platforms, citing adverse effects on their business. They alleged that bike operators were operating without commercial licenses, breaching rules set by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The collector confirmed to The Times of India that bikes would be detained and fined if found in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. He emphasized that commercial licenses are mandatory for any vehicle offering paid transportation services. "A hefty fine is expected to deter unauthorized bike operators," he stated, adding that the administration would launch an awareness campaign to prevent unlicensed riders from using the apps. Leaders of the Tax Chalak Malak Kruti Samiti, the driver union organizing the strike, confirmed the resolution. Deepak Sane, a union leader, noted that while the strike ended, demands for fare hikes remained unresolved. He highlighted that the collector agreed to align fares with the RTA's schedule, which had been a key grievance. Rishi Kuwar, another leader, reiterated the need for fair compensation, stating the strike had left drivers in financial distress. Sane also called for reconsideration of a government-run app for transport services, a proposal previously submitted to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) but abandoned. He argued that such an app would provide drivers with greater autonomy and reduce reliance on private aggregators.#nagpur_airport #deepak_sane #district_collector_kumar_ashirwad #tax_chalak_malak_kruti_samiti #rishi_kuwar
Cab Drivers’ Strike at Nagpur Airport Sparks Chaos for Travelers Nagpur: The ongoing strike by cab drivers at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport entered its third day on Thursday, causing significant disruptions to airport operations. Union representatives warned that the protest could escalate further if their demands remain unaddressed, with plans to intensify the agitation through a sit-in protest if no resolution is reached by Friday. The strike has left passengers stranded, with limited availability of transport options and rising costs for alternative services. Union leader Deepak Sane, representing the drivers, stated that the administration had failed to engage with their concerns. "We have tried reaching out to the district administration, but officials are occupied with VIP movements in the city. Our discussions with airport authorities have also not yielded any outcome," he said. Sane emphasized that the drivers are not seeking to inconvenience passengers but are demanding a formal resolution to their grievances. Key issues cited by the protesters include the imposition of a 100 rupee parking fee and the absence of a binding agreement with the airport authorities. The strike has severely impacted last-mile connectivity for travelers. With app-based cab services largely unavailable and local operators charging inflated prices, passengers are facing prolonged waits and higher costs. Some commuters have resorted to private pickups, while others have walked long distances outside the airport premises in search of transport. Sanika Shende, a passenger, described the ordeal as "stressful," noting that she waited nearly half an hour before a cab was booked.#nagpur #the_times_of_india #dr_babasaheb_ambedkar_international_airport #deepak_sane #sanika_shende
Nagpur Cab Drivers Stage Airport Strike Over Fares and Bike Taxi Regulations Cab drivers in Nagpur launched a coordinated strike on Tuesday, halting all airport-bound services at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. The protest, organized by the Taxi Chalak Malak Sanyukt Kruti Samiti, involved drivers blocking entry points to the airport premises and refusing to pick up or drop off passengers. The strike began at midnight, with drivers halting bookings for airport trips, forcing stranded passengers to either walk nearly a kilometre through the scorching heat or pay an additional Rs 50 for an e-rickshaw ride to the terminal. The drivers’ demands centered on two key issues: higher fares and the regulation or removal of bike taxis. According to Deepak Sane, the leader of the taxi association, drivers currently earn between Rs 9 and Rs 15 per kilometre, far below the Rs 28 per km they are demanding. Sane argued that the low fares, combined with the proliferation of bike taxis, have eroded their income. He claimed that around 15,000 bike rides occur daily, significantly impacting cab operators’ earnings. “Anyone with a bike can join these platforms, but there are no regulations for bike taxis,” Sane stated, emphasizing the lack of oversight compared to traditional cab services. The strike’s impact was immediate and disruptive. Passengers faced significant inconvenience, with some expressing frustration over the situation. Rajesh Jitkar, a passenger heading to Mumbai, described walking with minimal luggage as the only option. Others vented their anger on social media after being asked to disembark from their cabs.#nagpur #nagpur_municipal_corporation #dr_babasaheb_ambedkar_international_airport #deepak_sane #taxi_chalak_malak_sanyukt_kruti_samiti
App-Based Cabbies Threaten to Halt Airport Services Starting April 14 Travellers flying in and out of Nagpur’s airport are set to face significant disruptions as a union of app-based taxi drivers has announced plans to suspend services from April 14. The Taxi Vahan Chalak Malak Sanyukt Kruti Samiti, a collective representing app-based drivers, has also vowed to block entry of other taxi services into the airport premises, a move that could leave passengers stranded and escalate tensions on the ground. The protest, which will begin on April 14 and continue indefinitely, has raised alarms about potential chaos at the airport, with passengers possibly forced to walk with luggage after being denied access to vehicles. Union president Deepak Sane confirmed that approximately 150 app-based taxi drivers operate at the airport daily. He stated that the union’s decision to halt services is a direct response to long-standing grievances, including the lack of enforcement of rates set by the Rajasthan Transport Department (RTA), which were approved in August 2025. Sane emphasized that the drivers would not accept trips to and from the airport through app-based platforms, adding that office-bearers would be stationed on all four approach roads to the airport to ensure compliance. “No app-based driver will operate at the airport. We will also not accept trips to and from the airport through apps,” he said. The union’s actions are part of a broader agitation over unresolved demands, which include scrapping bike taxi services, enforcing RTA-notified fares, providing direct insurance benefits to drivers, and establishing accountable offices for aggregator companies in Nagpur.#nagpur_airport #taxi_vahan_chalak_malak_sanyukt_kruti_samiti #deepak_sane #rajasthan_transport_department #nitin_magar
