Telangana Auto Unions Call Off Indefinite Strike After Talks With Government
HYDERABAD: Autorickshaw and transport unions in Hyderabad called off their proposed indefinite strike late on Sunday night, hours before it was scheduled to begin, following assurances from Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar that their demands would be addressed in upcoming talks.
The late-night withdrawal of the strike brought significant relief to commuters across the state, particularly parents of school students who depend heavily on autorickshaws and private transport for daily travel.
The decision was reached after discussions between the transport department and representatives of the auto unions, who had previously remained firm on launching the agitation. Minister Prabhakar, who was in Huzurabad, participated in the crucial meeting online. Following the discussion, a transport department official stated that the government had taken a positive stance toward the unions' grievances.
A follow-up meeting involving representatives from the labour and transport departments alongside auto union leaders has been scheduled for September 1 to finalise the modalities of the agreements.
During the discussions, the state government clarified that the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation has no plans to purchase electric autorickshaws. Officials also provided an assurance regarding an autorickshaw fare hike to help drivers cope with rising operational costs.
Additionally, the government agreed to initiate the development of a state-run ride-hailing application similar to private aggregators like Ola and Uber. The IT Department will undertake the necessary technical work for the platform.
The government also agreed to take a decision on restricting passenger transportation exclusively to commercial vehicles with yellow registration plates, including two-wheelers operating on aggregator platforms such as Rapido, Ola, and Uber.
Regarding the election promise of financial assistance of ₹12,000 to autorickshaw workers, government representatives stated that a final decision would be taken after holding consultations with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and cabinet colleagues, keeping the state's financial condition in view.
