Patna: Over 2.5 lakh autorickshaws, e-rickshaws and private cabs will go off the roads on Monday in
protest against the Bihar govt’s decision to implement a colour-coded operation system based on routes in major districts, including Patna.
Various commercial vehicle unions, such as the Bihar State Auto Chalak Sangh, Bihar State Motor Cab Union, Patna Zila Auto Chalak Sangh, Patna Zila E-rickshaw Chalak Sangh and E-rickshaw Kalyan Sangh will participate in the protest under the banner of the ‘All India Road Transport Workers Federation’.
The drivers will gather at Tata Park at 9am and march to Gardanibagh’s protest site.
Raj Kumar Jha, general secretary of the federation, said, “More than 80% of autos, e-rickshaws and cabs will not operate across the state on Monday. There are around 25,000 autos and 15,000 e-rickshaws in Patna’s urban areas alone. Representatives from bus and truck associations will also join our protest. We are against the decision to follow colour codes for different routes. If the transport department does not withdraw the order, we may decide to go on an indefinite strike.”
Patna Zila Auto Chalak Sangh president Pappu Rai said the new regulations limit the number of vehicles per route, creating difficulties for auto drivers.
“If there are limited autos on certain routes, where will the remaining drivers go? They will need new permits which will only add a financial burden. A meeting was called by the district transport office in Patna to discuss the new scheme, which we are protesting,” Rai said.
According to the order, routes for autos and e-rickshaws have been divided into zones with different colour codes for each. In urban areas, registration will be based on road capacity. Colour-coded stickers or paint will mark autorickshaws and e-rickshaws under the reserve auto system in district headquarters.
Service providers licensed under the Bihar Taxi Aggregator Operational Directive, 2019, must also obtain licenses under the new scheme.
The strike is expected to impact office-goers, school and college students and passengers at railway stations, bus stops and Patna airport.
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