Farmers Movement Archive

Bharat Bandh: Commuters pin hopes on Metro in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Commuters in Delhi are likely to face a tough time on Tuesday with many app-based cabs and autorickshaws keeping off the roads in solidarity with the protesting farmers, who have called for a Bharat Bandh against the Centre’s new farm laws. Delhi NCR’s lifeline — Delhi Metro — will, however, remain fully operational with train services on all corridors. The combined fleet of Delhi Transport Corporation and Cluster Scheme buses will also run as usual. An official of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said that train services would be available as usual, including on the sections connecting the capital with NCR towns. The combined fleet of 6,601 DTC and Cluster Scheme buses will also be deployed on the capital’s roads, even though DTC has not been operating any inter-state buses since the protests by farmers at border points began affecting traffic movement between Delhi and its neighbouring states. Those who depend on app-based cabs or autorickshaws for their commuting are, however, likely to face a dip in availability of these, with some unions supporting the bandh. “We have decided to support the Bharat Bandh on Tuesday and our drivers will not ply their cabs but support the bandh peacefully. Ola and Uber taxis will not operate in Delhi-NCR on Tuesday,” said Kamaljeet Gill, president, Sarvodaya Drivers’ Association of Delhi. Although app-based aggregators Ola and Uber refused to reply to queries sent by TOI regarding availability of cabs on Tuesday, according to sources in the companies, availability of cabs in Delhi NCR is likely to be a problem due to Bharat Bandh. A source in one of the companies said, “We are plying tomorrow and it is normal for us everywhere but we have told our drivers to be cautious. However, compared with other cities, Delhi-NCR will probably be the worst affected due to the protests by farmers at the city’s border points.” Auto and taxi unions, however, are divided on the question of support for the nationwide closure. “We fully support the call for Bharat Bandh by farmers and on Tuesday, kaali peeli taxis, tourist taxis, tourist buses and cabs plying on Ola and Uber platforms will not operate on Tuesday,” declared Sanjay Samrat, president, Delhi Taxi Tourist Transporters Association. Some other auto unions also said they would support the bandh and their members would keep their vehicles off the roads. In contrast, Rajendra Soni, general secretary of the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, insisted that autorickshaws and kaali peeli taxis, particularly those operating from Indira Gandhi International Airport, will run as usual. Watch Bharat Bandh: Delhi Metro to remain fully operational with train services on all corridors

The Times of India

2020-12-08

Delhi