Fuel price hike to steep fines, cab & auto drivers to hold protest in Telangana

Unions representing auto-rickshaws, cabs, taxis, lorries and goods vehicles across Telangana have announced a statewide protest on Thursday.

According to a joint call by several trade unions, including AITUC, CITU, INTUC, BRTU, TUCI, and others, the protest is driven by long-standing grievances that remain unresolved despite repeated representations.

Key demands include the withdrawal of steep fines under the Motor Vehicles Act, the rollback of fuel price hikes, a reduction in insurance premiums, the cancellation of fitness and permit-related penalties, and an end to what the unions describe as ‘harassment’ by transport and police officials during enforcement drives.

The unions have also strongly opposed the expansion of corporate cab aggregators and the unregulated entry of app-based transport services, claiming that these policies are destroying the livelihoods of traditional drivers and owner-operators. They argue that, while RTC workers are assured protection as a public service workforce, private and informal transport workers are being pushed into debt and insecurity.

JAC leader Sathi Reddy told TOI that the protest would be peaceful, but urged commuters to plan ahead. While emergency services and essential supplies may be exempt, unions have reported an “overwhelming” level of participation from drivers across districts, including Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, and Adilabad.

If the demands are ignored, the unions have hinted that they will intensify the movement in coordination with other labour groups.