By Apurva Bhatt
The near-total auto rickshaw strike in the Mumbai metropolitan region on Monday crippled the life of the average mumbaikar. Most had to trudge up to railway stations or queue up for overcrowded buses as more than 97% three-wheelers stayed off roads; a total of seven lakh rickshaws were on strike across the state. And this hit commuters hard. "It's frustrating to face an auto strike on the first day of the week," said Rahul Joshi, a bank employee who walked to Santacruz station. Rohini Gupta, who works for a private firm and travels from Navi Mumbai to Santa Cruz, complained that the frequency of bus service was poor.
BEST authorities, though, claimed they had deployed more buses on feeder routes. Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd had requested BEST to provide four to five more buses for passengers at the airport. This time, though, the RTO was quick to crack the whip. It issued showcause notices to 198 rickshaws in the western suburbs, and threatened to cancel their permits. Those who thought the 3% autos that continued to ply would provide some respite were in for disappointment though, as most demanded excess fares. Anuj Bhatt, a daily commuter, alleged that some charged 40% more in Bandra.
The few visible rickshaws, belonging to rival unions such as Shiv Sena, MNS and Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union (MRU), said they faced their own set of woes. They were intimidated by goons on twowheelers, despite assurance of police protection. MRU leader Thampy Kurian said stones were pelted and windscreens damaged in Goregaon, Malad and a few other places. MNS transport union leader Haji Arafat Shaikh said at least five groups of men were involved.
Several RTO squads visited lanes where autos were parked and pasted showcause notices on them under the Motor Vehicle Act. "We plan to fine these drivers (Rs 3,000 maximum), suspend their permits and, if required, cancel permits and issue them to new drivers," said a senior transport official. Most drivers, though, said they stayed away due to fear, and should not be prosecuted.
The RTO also mobilized 88 private buses and van operators, and NGOs to provide transport to railway stations.
