Thane crippled as 18K autos apply brakes in protest

THANE: Lakhs of commuters faced a lot of inconvenience on Monday after over 18,000 auto rickshaws went off the streets since morning. Several auto unions took to the streets to protest action being initiated against them by RTO and transport authorities.
The one-day protest was seen as a pressure tactic to dilute action against the vast majority who operate without valid permits or licence.
Over 3,000 protestors assembled at Nitin Company and made their way first to the office of deputy transport officer at Murphy on the highway and then regional transport officer.
The protestors presented a memorandum to the traffic police. Their demands included relaxation of rules related to cancelling licence for repeat offenses, scrapping old autos, increasing fares matching inflation, ensuring green tax isn't made compulsory and renewing permits of those who have been driving for over 15 years.
Many office goers faced a harrowing time. "I had to wait for a long time at the rickshaw queue before I realized about the strike. Though by then I was already late for my weekly office meeting, I had no option but to walk to office," said Natasha Fernandes, a commuter.
"We had an appointment at my doctor's clinic but didn't get any auto for over 30 minutes," said Vrinda and Makarand Joshi, an elderly couple.
Few incidents of violence were reported from parts of the city where union members allegedly targeted private buses and autos that were plying. Drivers who were not part of the protest stopped work fearing damage to their vehicles.
Ravi Rao, president of Thane Automen's Rickshaw Union, said, "There are many honest autos drivers, but for a handful of misbehaving drivers, the authorities penalize others too. We aren't supporting those who break law. We seek some relaxation in stern action on genuine drivers. Cancelling licence is a harsh punishment," said Rao.
MB Jadhav, regional transport official in Thane, said, "Members from several auto unions presented their list of demands. We will have a meeting with them next week and then forward the list to our higher ups in Mumbai."