Autos to go off roads in protest of permission to bike-taxis

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Auto services in the city are likely to be disrupted as auto unions have decided to stage a protest on March 20, demanding a ban on operation of bike-taxis. Addressing media persons, president of Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers Union, M Manjunath, announced a three-day stir against the government.

“The transport department has allowed the operation of illegal bike-taxis in the city, which has severely affected the livelihood of autorickshaw drivers. The transport minister has not paid heed to our problems. The permission given to ride aggregators allowing operation of bike-taxis must be withdrawn immediately,” said Manjunath. He said autorickshaw drivers will begin a threeday protest, from Sunday midnight, by tying black flags to their vehicles and stopping services in the city limits.

“We are providing the government with a three-day deadline. During this span, auto services will be suspended,” he said. The unions have also decided to lay siege to the residence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday, if their demands go “unheard”. Over 21 unions falling under the Bangalore Auto Drivers’ Unions Federation will participate in the protest. Close to 2.1 lakh autos are expected to be out of service during the protest.