The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Seven-seater autos allowed in city

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Seven-seater autos allowed in city

Staff Reporter

Autorickshaw strike enters second day; taxi drivers make a killing

HYDERABAD: Normal life was thrown out of gear even on the second day of the strike by the auto unions since Sunday midnight even as the State Government has decided to allow seven-seater autos in city during the strike period. Rail passengers at Secunderabad, Nampally and Kacheguda stations had a torrid time to reach their destinations along with their luggage. Taking advantage of the situation, cab drivers charged exorbitant rates. "It is difficult for us to travel in a bus with huge baggage. When we try to hire a cab, they are demanding more money," W. John, a resident of Mettuguda, alleged.

Digital meters

Union leaders had decided to intensify agitation protesting against the Government's refusal to drop its move making installation of digital meters in autos mandatory. "We will not withdraw from the strike till our demands are resolved," Anti-Digital Meters Struggle Committee leader Mohammed Amanullah Khan said. A rally from Sundaraiah Park at Baghlingampally will be taken out on Wednesday morning and it will culminate at Ramnagar crossroads where a meeting will be held to demand the Government to sort-out the issue. "We will also announce our action plan tomorrow to intensify our agitation," he said. Mr. Khan said over 50 mechanical meter repairers were also planning to join the agitation to express solidarity to the auto drivers.

Meanwhile, seven-seater autos and maxi cabs will be allowed to ply in the city from Wednesday. A decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting conducted by officials of the Transport Department here. Officials also requested the APSRTC to ply another 200 buses for convenience of the people, a senior official said.

Students hard-hit

From school-going children to passengers stranded at bus stations, everyone suffered due to the ongoing strike. But a handful of taxi drivers were happy because the strike helped them make a killing! With no three-wheelers around, this miniscule section of cab drivers at Secunderabad and other railway stations are charging the passengers exorbitantly and making huge money. Surprisingly, the traffic policemen, remained oblivious of the daylight robberies. The taxi drivers are targeting passengers new to the city and those coming from other States. As the people got off the trains and walked into the auto-rickshaw stand unaware of the ongoing strike, the cab drivers mob them.

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