Uber, Ola to remain off Mumbai streets as massive Azad Maidan rally planned today

The ongoing strike by drivers of app-based cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber is set to intensify in Mumbai today, with protesters planning to gather at Azad Maidan. Cab services have been suspended across Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur since Wednesday, as drivers demand fare rationalisation to bring app-based rates in line with traditional black-and-yellow taxis, among other issues.

The strike has already caused major disruptions for commuters, especially at airports and railway stations, where long queues and extended waiting times have become the norm.

“The cab drivers will stage a sit-in protest at Azad Maidan from Friday to escalate the agitation. No further talks have taken place with the government since the meeting with state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik at Mantralaya on Tuesday,” said a representative of the striking drivers, indicating a deadlock with no resolution in sight.

The protest is being spearheaded by the Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, which has raised several demands, including a ban on bike taxis, a cap on the number of black-and-yellow taxis and autorickshaws, and the creation of a welfare board for app-based drivers. The drivers are also pushing for the enactment of a ‘Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act’, inspired by similar laws in other states, to address the growing concerns over gig workers’ rights and welfare.

KN Kshirsagar, president of the Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, said that nearly 70 per cent of app-based cabs have stayed off the roads, severely limiting ride availability and affecting daily commuters.

Beyond commuter inconvenience, the strike has also raised safety concerns. Some citizens have reported that striking drivers are coercing their peers into joining the protest by stopping them from operating. The Chandivali Citizen Welfare Association shared an incident on social media showing cab drivers confronting a fellow driver who continued to work during the strike, fuelling debate over the ethics of protest tactics.

Airports and railway stations have been particularly affected, with limited alternative transport options. The Mumbai airport operator has advised passengers to make travel arrangements in advance and explore alternatives to avoid delays.

With no progress in government negotiations, the agitation appears set to continue, and the impact on commuters is likely to worsen unless the drivers’ demands are meaningfully addressed.

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