Metro runs packed, protest to continue today
GURGAON: Metro trains were packed on Monday as office-goers, students and other commuters tried to occupy every inch of Gurgaon’s only reliable public transport option with app-based cabs staying off roads for the fourth consecutive day. Commuters may not have any respite on Tuesday as striking cabbies cited ‘no change in scenario’.
The drivers’ union said protests will continue till their demands are met and turn ‘extreme’ if the same are not met within five to six days.
“Our demands have fallen on deaf ears and since there has been no assurances from the state governments (Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh) or Uber officials, the indefinite strike will continue on Tuesday. If there is no solution this week, then we will resort to blocking all vehicles,” Kamaljeet Singh, leader of the Sarvodaya Driver Association, said.
He said they were engaged in negotiations with Ola officials too but have not reached a mutual consent.
The footfall at MG Road and Huda City Centre stations of the Delhi Metro and CyberHub station of the Rapid Metro was higher than usual throughout the day.
In the morning, such was the rush at CyberHub station, which has several corporate offices in the vicinity, that long queues were formed at the exit gates.
From Huda City Centre and MG Road metro stations that record a heavy volume of commuters daily, there were reports that entry gates were partially closed for a few minutes around 8.30 am as the platforms could not accommodate the inflow of passengers.
Officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Rapid Metro confirmed that the rush at metro stations in Gurgaon was higher than usual. However, a DMRC official said there were no instances of stations being partially closed for crowd management.
Despite Uber and Ola having a stock of own taxis, commuters could either not trace cabs on the apps or the wait time was as long as 45 minutes.
“I received emails from Ola on Sunday evening offering discounts. I anticipated that the strike was over and used the app. However, initially, there were no cabs available. Later, there was a cab available, that would reach my pick-up point in nearly 50 minutes. I called the driver who refused to take me to New Delhi fearing that his vehicle would be stopped by protesters,” Anurag Mukherjee of DLF Phase I said.
Many residents carpooled to reach their destinations.
“My neighbour uses the metro and I avail of a cab service to reach our respective offices located at Barakhamba road and Jhandewalan in Delhi. Anticipating heavy rush at the metro stations and the absence of cab services, we carpooled to reach our destinations,” Hitesh Shah of Heritage City said.