Union demands removal of restrictions on cabs, autos in Mumbai

Lockdown rules restricting number and types of passengers that taxis and auto rickshaws can carry in city should be lifted from July 1, Mumbai Taximens Union (MTU) said on Saturday.

In a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, MTU said that around 1.5 lakh taxi drivers and over three lakh rickshaw drivers in city were facing a financial crisis.

As per a May 31 order, which allowed taxis and rickshaws to resume plying as part of easing of coronavirus lockdown, se vehicles can carry only those who are providing essential services and only two at a time.

A L Quadros, general secretary of MTU, said that taxi and rickshaw drivers do t have or sources of livelihood.

"y earn on a daily basis by driving taxis and rickshaws. y have t received any financial help from state government. ir families are starving. y cant pay ir children''s fees," trade union leader said.

government has allowed businesses and offices to resume functioning and ir employees are chief users of taxis and rickshaws, he said.

"Very few essential services passengers are hiring ir vehicles," Quadros said.

Drivers are also facing harassment from traffic police, who are giving favourble treatment to app-based taxi or rickshaw services and tourist vehicles, he alleged.

action is being taken against cab aggregators for violating May 31 order, he claimed.

Around 45,000 taxis and over two lakh auto rickshaws operate in Mumbai.