Kharghar auto strike is illegal: Panvel RTO

NAVI MUMBAI: The ongoing strike of Kharghar based autorickshaw drivers, which has inconvenienced hundreds of commuters over the past week, has been declared as illegal by the Panvel RTO.
The Panvel RTO head, L Darade told TOI, “It is illegal for the auto drivers to go on a sudden strike without even intimating us. We did not receive any strike notice from any auto union.”
Darade added that the city traffic police is already working to resolve the issue between various auto unions and the RTO officials are also in talks with them.
The strike followed the recent violent clashes between the Kharghar and Taloja auto groups over territorial limits, resulting in the arrest of 15 auto drivers from two unions.
“The strike will end by Wednesday and the auto services in Kharghar and nearby areas will be fully regularized,” said Darade.
A Kharghar based RTI activist, Ravi Srivastava wondered how a group of auto drivers can hold an entire node to ransom with a demand that only they can ply from Kharghar station area.
“This demand is illegal, as any registered auto driver from Panvel RTO has the right to ply in all MMR region, which includes Panvel, Kharghar, CBD, Vashi, Thane and other areas,” observed Srivastava ( see box).
RTO officials maintained that they take action against errant auto drivers during their drives. But locals complained that the drivers resume their misbehaviour soon after such drives.
“Stranded people at Kharghar station are begging for lifts from private vehicles, as the auto strike continues. Radio cabs must be introduced here too so that locals are not harassed,” said a commuter.