The proposed indefinite strike by auto and cab drivers in Telangana has been withdrawn following assurances from Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on several key demands raised by the Transport Joint Action Committee (JAC).
The decision was announced on Sunday, August 23, just hours before the strike was scheduled to begin on Monday, bringing relief to commuters and parents of school-going children.
The JAC said the transport minister had responded positively to its demands and assured action on issues concerning the welfare of auto and cab drivers. The assurances included the establishment of a welfare board and measures related to auto and cab fares.
The government also assured support of up to Rs 1.50 lakh for eligible drivers to retrofit or transition to electric vehicles. Other demands discussed included per-kilometre and per-minute fare provisions for cabs, autos and goods transport under Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, along with action against the use of private vehicles for commercial services.
Following the discussions, the JAC decided to withdraw its strike call and appreciated the state government’s response to the issues raised by the transport sector.
Earlier, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar had appealed to the JAC to call off the proposed agitation. He said the Telangana government planned to establish a welfare board for auto drivers and provide financial assistance to support the transition from conventional auto rickshaws to electric vehicles.
The minister also said the government intended to replace existing auto rickshaws with electric autos in Hyderabad in a phased manner. The proposed strike had created uncertainty among commuters, with parents of school-going children expressing concerns about transportation arrangements.
The JAC had alleged that auto drivers were facing severe financial difficulties and demanded government intervention to address the challenges affecting the sector.
With the strike withdrawn, normal auto and cab services are expected to continue. The focus will now be on the government’s implementation of the assurances and further action on the demands raised by the transport unions.
