As Mumbai enters the fifth day of a major disruption in transportation, thousands of cab drivers affiliated with app-based platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido continue their indefinite strike. The protest, which began on July 15, has not only paralysed daily commuting in the city but has also spread to Pune and Nagpur, with support growing from autorickshaw unions expected to join soon.

On Friday, drivers escalated the agitation with a large sit-in protest at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. According to Dr. K.N. Kshirsagar, President of the Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, the decision was taken as there had been “no deliberations with the government” since their last meeting with Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik earlier in the week.

“The cabbies will sit on a protest at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai from Friday to further intensify their agitation,” Dr. Kshirsagar told PTI.

The strike is spearheaded by unions including the Indian Gig Workers Front, Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, and Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh. These organisations are demanding fair wages, stronger regulations, and improved working conditions for gig workers who they say are exploited by current aggregator models.

Crippling Costs and Shrinking Pay

At the heart of the protest is a growing frustration over poor earnings. Drivers claim that after deducting platform commissions, fuel prices, and vehicle maintenance, their net income drops to as low as Rs 8 to Rs 12 per kilometre—a rate that has become unlivable amid inflation and rising operational costs.

In addition, they allege that platforms burden them with discount costs, reducing their already thin margins. Protestors are demanding that platforms bear the financial burden of offers and discounts given to customers.

Five Key Demands

The striking drivers have laid out five primary demands:

1. Rationalisation of fares to bring app-based rates in line with government-approved meter fares.

2. Immediate ban on bike taxis, which drivers claim worsen competition and affect safety.

3. Cap on new permits for kaali-peeli taxis and autorickshaws.

4. Creation of a Welfare Board for app-based transport workers.

5. Swift implementation of the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act, which promises social protections and better working standards.

Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Indian Gig Workers Front, reiterated the demand for meter-based fare regulation, stating to The Times of India, “Our main demands include making the meter-based fares approved by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) visible inside cabs.”

No Government Policy Yet on Aggregators

Although the Maharashtra government announced its intent to regulate aggregator platforms over a year ago, a dedicated policy remains pending. A draft policy that outlines licensing rules, fare control, and enforcement standards has been prepared but not enacted. The delay has left both drivers and passengers without a formal grievance redressal mechanism.

Citywide Disruption and Airport Advisory

The effect of the strike has been most visible around transport hubs such as airports and railway stations, where passengers are facing long waits and frequent cancellations. In response, the Mumbai Airport authority issued a public advisory on X (formerly Twitter), “In light of ongoing protests in the state, passengers travelling via #MumbaiAirport are advised to check transport availability and plan alternate arrangements in advance.”

Commuters have also reported aggressive behaviour from some protestors, including incidents where striking drivers were seen urging others to stop accepting bookings, with videos circulating widely on social media.

What’s Next?

On July 18, transport officials met representatives from driver unions and urged them to wait until July 22 for another round of discussions. While a section of drivers remains cautiously hopeful, many say they will not back down until written assurances are provided and core issues are addressed.

As the strike continues, Mumbai’s roadways remain strained, commuters are left stranded, and the call for fair treatment of gig workers grows louder.