Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Residents of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula are expected to face inconvenience in booking app-based taxis as cab driver unions have launched a day-long protest demanding immediate action on issues related to fares, policy implementation and regulatory enforcement. The agitation is likely to affect commuting across the Tricity, prompting many passengers to turn to public transport and auto-rickshaws.
Despite the strike, services operated by the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) and local auto-rickshaw unions are expected to remain unaffected, offering an alternative for daily commuters.
The protest has been organised at two separate locations following a split among driver organisations. One section of cab drivers has assembled outside the State Transport Authority office in Sector 18 to press for administrative intervention, while another faction continues its ongoing demonstration at the Rally Ground in Sector 25.
Leaders of the protesting groups said their objective is to secure a meaningful dialogue with the Chandigarh administration and push for the implementation of measures they believe are essential for the welfare of cab drivers.
Vikram Singh Pundir, President of the Tricity Cab Driver Welfare Association, said the union is seeking a resolution through discussion rather than confrontation. According to him, the agitation could be withdrawn if the administration responds positively to the demands raised by the drivers.
Meanwhile, Amandeep Singh, who heads the Chandigarh Tricity Driver Union, said his organisation has been protesting for the past 15 days without receiving any concrete assurance from the authorities. He claimed that repeated representations and memorandums submitted to officials have failed to produce results.
The union has demanded a meeting with the Punjab Governor, who also serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh, stating that only direct intervention at the highest level can resolve the ongoing dispute. Until then, the protest will continue, union representatives said.
Among the primary demands is the strict enforcement of the cab policy introduced by the Chandigarh administration in 2025. Driver unions have alleged that several companies continue to violate the policy without facing consequences and have called for penalties or cancellation of licences in cases of non-compliance.
The drivers are also seeking a revision in the minimum fare structure. They argue that the current rate of ₹25 per kilometre is no longer viable due to rising operational costs, particularly the increase in CNG and fuel prices. The unions have proposed that the base fare be revised to ₹35 per kilometre.
Another issue highlighted by the protesters is the alleged unequal enforcement of transport regulations. According to the unions, individual drivers are frequently penalised while companies escape accountability. They have also urged the authorities to stop the commercial use of privately registered vehicles bearing white number plates, claiming that such practices create unfair competition and violate existing rules.
Traffic movement around the protest venues may remain affected during the day as demonstrators gather in large numbers. Authorities are expected to monitor the situation closely to ensure public order while discussions on the drivers’ demands continue.
The strike underscores the growing concerns within the app-based transport sector, with driver unions insisting that policy reforms and stronger enforcement are necessary to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of people dependent on the industry.
