Truck, taxi, and auto-rickshaw drivers in New Delhi launched a three-day strike on Thursday, 21 May, demanding a revision in fares and relief from mounting fuel costs and operational expenses. The agitation, set to continue until 23 May, is expected to disrupt transport services across Delhi-NCR, with more than 68 transport unions under the banners of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and the United Front of All Transport Associations (UFTA) participating in the so-called 'chakka jam'.

Drivers Speak Out on Financial Strain

Drivers across categories — trucks, cabs, and autos — described a worsening financial squeeze. A truck driver said transport workers had been pressing for a fare revision for several years. 'Our fares have not been increased for a long time, which means our wages have also remained stagnant. At the same time, diesel, petrol, and CNG prices have continued to rise, and even the prices of food essentials have increased. We have gone on strike to demand higher fares and better wages,' he said.

A cab driver echoed the sentiment, noting that round-the-clock work yielded barely enough to cover household basics. 'We work throughout the night but are unable to save even ₹500. From that amount, we have to manage household expenses such as cooking oil, vegetables, and other essentials,' he said. Another cab driver added that financial conditions had deteriorated sharply in recent months. 'Our accounts are almost empty now. Fuel prices have increased, but if we raise fares, customers face problems. We are completely dependent on this work for survival,' he said.

Impact at Indira Gandhi International Airport

The effects of the strike were visible at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, where the number of available taxis was noticeably lower than on a typical day. A taxi driver at the airport said, 'The number of taxis is currently low, and people are saying there could be a complete strike. Diesel, petrol, and CNG prices have increased significantly. Passengers are unwilling to pay higher fares, making it difficult for us to operate vehicles.'

Passengers, however, did not face major disruption as app-based cab services continued to operate. Drivers at the airport noted that fare rates had not yet been revised, and warned that the full impact of the strike could intensify as the day progressed.

Key Union Demands and Government Communication

Earlier this week, the AIMTC wrote formally to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, outlining a set of demands. These include an increase in taxi fares, a rollback of the Enhanced Congestion Charges (ECC), and a reconsideration of restrictions currently imposed on commercial vehicles.

Notably, according to the unions, taxi fares in Delhi-NCR have remained unchanged for nearly 15 years, even as fuel prices and operational costs have risen sharply over the same period. This is the backdrop against which unions argue that the current fare structure is no longer financially viable for drivers.

Escalation Warning and What Comes Next

Transport unions have issued a clear warning: if the Delhi government does not issue a formal notification on fare revision within the next two weeks, the agitation will be intensified. This comes amid a broader pattern of transport sector unrest across Indian cities, where the gap between fuel price inflation and regulated fares has been a persistent flashpoint.

With the strike scheduled through 23 May, commuters and logistics operators in Delhi-NCR are advised to plan accordingly. Whether the government responds before the deadline could determine whether this remains a three-day disruption or escalates into a prolonged standoff.