Traffic hit, fares surge as app cab drivers block Moulali crossing

Kolkata: Traffic in vast parts of central Kolkata was severely disrupted for several hours on Monday after Citu-backed app cab drivers blocked the Moulali crossing, demanding that the govt fix a minimum fare of Rs 30 per kilometre for app-based cabs. They refused to move until their petition was accepted.

Police said, around 12.10 pm, the protesters blocked the entire Moulali crossing. All traffic was shut on all sides for the next 30 minutes. Immediately after a few of them went to the transport department to submit a deputation but were reportedly refused, dozens of app cabs were positioned across the road, as around 70 drivers, along with their cabs, settled on the eastern flank of the crossing. It was not before 7.20 pm that they finally called off the agitation.


The blockade effectively shut down SN Banerjee Road, with the police putting up barricades to stop them from reaching Esplanade, and slowed movement on AJC Bose Road from shortly after noon until late evening. The blockade led to buses taking long detours via Minto Park to try to reach Esplanade. Buses taking Amherst Street were affected too.

The result was a massive surge in app cab prices around central Kolkata. The union's flash protest, with CITU having around 2,000 app cabs under it, affected those travelling to and from the Sealdah-Esplanade belt.

Sanjukta Banerjee, who was travelling from Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, was asked to fork out Rs 340 to reach Salt Lake. "I had to abandon my meeting with relatives as it was not possible for me at an advanced age to walk down to the Metro station," said Banerjee.

Commuters travelling from Sealdah and Entally towards Esplanade were among the worst affected. With vehicles unable to pass through the stretch, hundreds of daily passengers were seen walking long distances to reach Esplanade and the Chandni Chowk Metro station. Several office-goers and students reported delays as buses and taxis were unable to enter the area.

Indranil Banerjee of the West Bengal Online Cab Operators' Guild, another app cab union, said that while they support a fare structure, such claims as asking for a minimum Rs 30 fare per kilometre all through the day was "anti-people." "We need the support of passengers. Hence, we have spoken to the transport department for introducing a scientific fare structure. The govt said it is ready to discuss the issue," said Banerjee.

A senior cop said personnel were deployed at the site to manage the situation and keep traffic moving on alternative routes, but congestion persisted through the afternoon.