Auto-rickshaw Drivers Organise Rally In The Western Suburbs

If you live north of Bandra, today would have been a perfect day to call in sick. Auto-rickshaw drivers in the Western suburbs decided to go ahead with their planned strike—except they’re not calling it a strike. That would have gottten them into trouble with the government, which has amended the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act to include strict penal action against strikers. Instead, auto-wallahs are calling this a “protest”. Getting an rickshaw between Bandra and Dahisar might be even harder than usual as 5,000 auto drivers plan to hit the road. They’ll be marching from Inorbit Mall in Malad West and proceeding to the Andheri regional transport office to rally against harassment by the police and corruption in the RTOs.

If you were caught unaware today, know that two more auto strikes have been planned for Wednesday, September 5 and Tuesday, September 11. On Wednesday, drivers in the eastern suburbs will march, from Kurla to Mulund and Mankhurd, to protest against bad roads and adulterated gas. It might be a good idea to arrange for alternate transport on those two days—or you could use them as a convenient excuse to make the most of your pending sick leave.

Auto drivers to cripple Mumbai suburbs with twin rallies [The Times of India]