Cab, auto strike in Delhi NCR LIVE: Three-day strike begins today over fuel price hike, drivers demand price review

Taxi and auto drivers demand price review in Delhi NCR, announce three-day strike as fuel prices rise.

The strike was called by commercial vehicle unions, including the Chalak Shakti Union, which wrote to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, the Chief Minister, the Transport Minister and the Police Commissioner informing them of the agitation.

The union said in the letter that the strike was organized “in solidarity with the nationwide agitation announced by the All India Automobile Transport Congress”.

The union also said that fares of taxis and commercial vehicles in Delhi and NCR have remained unchanged for nearly 15 years despite a steady rise in the prices of CNG, petrol and diesel.

According to the letter, frequent fuel price hikes have made it difficult for drivers to manage operating costs and maintain profits.

Cab, car strike of the day: 10 points on what are the demands

1. The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) called for a three-day strike against the recent hike in Environment Compensation (ECC) on commercial vehicles and the proposed ban on entry of old vehicles into Delhi-NCR, while the Chalak Shakti Union supported the agitation and also raised concerns that taxi and auto fares in Delhi-NCR have not been reviewed in nearly 15 years despite sharp increases in petrol, diesel and CNG prices.

2. More than 68 transport unions in Delhi and the National Capital Region are participating in the strike, saying the new measures introduced by the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) will hurt transport operators and disrupt supply chains.

3. One of the main catalysts is the increase in ECC fees effective April 19. The fees imposed on light commercial vehicles and two-axle trucks were raised from $1400 L $2000, while fees for vehicles with three axles and heavier than $2600 LBP $4000.

4. Transporters are also objecting to the government’s decision to increase ECC charges by 5 per cent every year.

5. Another major concern is the CAQM’s proposal to ban BS-4 and older commercial vehicles from entering Delhi-NCR from November 1, 2026, as part of anti-pollution measures.

6. The AIMTC argued that the restrictions were unfair because they were based only on the vehicle registration category and not on actual emissions. “Restrictions should be implemented only based on actual tailpipe emissions,” AIMTC Chairman Rajender Kapoor said.

7. The transport body also questioned why ECC was imposed even on BS-6 vehicles, despite such vehicles being allowed during stricter pollution control measures under GRAP guidelines.

8. Transport unions say the toll has been imposed on all goods vehicles entering Delhi, including empty trucks arriving for loading and vehicles carrying essential goods.

9. The taxi and auto unions supporting the strike separately raised concerns over rising prices of petrol, diesel and CNG, saying prices in Delhi-NCR have not been revised in nearly 15 years despite increased operating costs.

10. Drivers say fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, application commissions and EMIs on loans have made it difficult to survive. While the three-day strike is being described as “symbolic”, the AIMTC has warned that transport companies may launch an indefinite strike if their concerns are not addressed.