Madhya Pradesh Taxi Drivers Protest Fare Policies

Taxi drivers in Madhya Pradesh have announced a statewide agitation against the alleged arbitrary fare policies of aggregator companies.

The protest, which will take place from August 18 to 20, will include a rally and a gherao of the Chief Minister's residence.

The decision to protest was taken during a meeting of taxi drivers and union representatives at Chinar Park in Bhopal on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Bhopal Taxi Drivers’ Union, affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, and Taxi Union Kalyan Samiti Sarv Bharat.

The unions have alleged that Madhya Pradesh does not have a clear policy for fixing taxi fares, allowing companies such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido to allegedly determine fares arbitrarily.

They have demanded a permanent government-approved fare structure, including a base fare of ₹50-60 per ride, a time charge of ₹1-1.50 per minute, and a distance charge of ₹22-30 per kilometre depending on the vehicle category.

The unions have also raised concerns over the alleged operation of private vehicles and illegal bike taxis for commercial purposes, claiming it affects the earnings of registered taxi operators.

Earlier, taxi drivers had boycotted airport rides on June 23, 24, and 25 to press for their demands.

The union claimed that companies had temporarily revised fares after the protest but later returned to previous rates.

The drivers said their demand was not limited to a percentage-based fare hike but a complete overhaul of the fare system, including base fare, time charges, and per-kilometre payments.

Taxi Union Kalyan Samiti Sarv Bharat’s Bhopal in-charge Javed Khan said a rally would be taken out from Boat Club to Lalghati on August 15.

He said the protest would remain peaceful and constitutional and would highlight the concerns of taxi drivers before the state government.

Bhopal Taxi Drivers’ Union general secretary Rajesh Kumar Nagle said drivers from across the state would be invited for the larger protest.

He added that the government should first decide taxi fares and then direct aggregator companies to follow the approved rates.

The protest is expected to affect commuters, particularly those traveling to and from the airport.

The unions have urged the state government to take immediate action to address their concerns and prevent any inconvenience to the public.

In conclusion, the protest by taxi drivers in Madhya Pradesh is a significant development that highlights the need for a clear and fair fare policy in the state.

The state government must take immediate action to address the concerns of taxi drivers and ensure that the fare system is transparent and equitable for all stakeholders.