Auto and cab workers demand government relief, stage protest 

Auto and cab workers took to the streets of Vijayawada on Tuesday (September 09, 2025) demanding immediate financial support and welfare measures. The dharna held under the leadership of CITU-affiliated Vijayawada Auto Workers Union accused the coalition government of betraying the auto workers by not fulfilling its pre-election promises.

They demanded immediate financial aid of ₹25,000 for each auto worker’s family, including drivers, interest-free loans for auto purchase, and repayment relief and subsidies on auto CNG and insurance.

The protest, supported by CPI(M) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao and led by CITU leaders N.C.H. Srinivas and K. Durgarao, witnessed BRTS Road filled with autos lined up for kilometres. Workers raised slogans against the government’s negligence and warned that the agitation would intensify if their demands were not met.

Speaking at the rally, leaders said that while the government fulfilled its promise of free bus travel for women under the “Stree Shakti” scheme, it failed to launch the promised welfare scheme for auto workers. They reminded that during elections, the coalition government had promised to establish an Auto Workers Welfare Board, enhance the “Vahana Mitra” allowance, cancel the punitive G.O. 21, which increased traffic fines, and provide interest-free loans. None of these promises were fulfilled, they alleged.