Kochi: City police arrested 31 auto drivers on Monday after a series of complaints were filed, especially by women opting online taxis over autos, against their unruly behaviour.
Auto drivers were once again accused of waylaying online cabs at both North and South railway stations on Monday morning. Unlike earlier incidents, this time, city police were immediately pressed into action.
Senior police officers said that strict action would be taken against such unlawful interception. “There is a high court order permitting the smooth operation of online cabs and we will ensure its execution. There will be strict action if any such waylaying is repeated,” said assistant commissioner K Laljy.
The entire group of auto drivers at South railway station, except one, was taken into custody. Autorickshaw operators went on a flash strike after the arrest, took out protest marches and even stopped other autorickshaws from offering rides. The drivers were charged under several sections including 143, 147, 149, 341, 323, 294 (b) and 506. The strike was called off after the arrested were released on station bail around noon.
State committee member of CITU-affiliated Auto Taxi Federation V V Praveen said that the presence of online cabs was affecting the livelihood of auto drivers. “Police give slips to customers at prepaid counters with a fixed charge. Autos get a spot at the prepaid counter after paying an amount. Online taxis can drop customers at the prepaid counter area but they should not canvass customers,” he said.
However, Southern Railway officials confirmed that there was no exclusive rights to operate transportation from stations. “No such exclusive rights have been given to auto or taxi operators. Railway is not even charging a parking fee from auto rickshaws. It is being charged only from taxis, hence they have no valid reason to stop online cabs inside station premises,” said a railway official, adding that Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel were deployed at the station and prepaid counters in wake of the ongoing tiff.
Online cab aggregator Uber is arranging specific pickup venues within stations. The arrangement is likely to be in place shortly, said an Uber spokesperson. “Talks are being held with railway officials for such spots. The passengers have their right to choose their own mode of transportation,” said the spokesperson.
However, auto operators remained adamant and maintained that that they will continue to block cabs entering railway station and KSRTC bus stand. Auto rickshaw workers’ union are set to meet the district collector to put a system and thus ensure a solution, said Praveen.
Union members said that they have approached the state government on the issue. “Autos and normal taxis are operating at a rate fixed by the Ramachandran Commission. This must be made applicable to online cabs as well,” said Praveen.
