Bhopal: Taxi drivers in Bhopal staged a symbolic protest on Friday against app-based cab operators, claiming low fares have made it increasingly difficult to earn a living.
Under the banner of the Bhopal Taxi Drivers Association, drivers gathered at Board Office Square wearing torn clothes and carrying bowls to symbolically beg, highlighting what they described as worsening financial conditions.
The protesters accused cab aggregators, including Ola, Uber and Rapido, of failing to provide fair compensation. Drivers said current earnings average about Rs 9 per kilometre, while operating costs, including fuel and vehicle maintenance, have risen to nearly Rs 11 per kilometre.
Association representatives alleged that fare structures prescribed under transport guidelines are not being followed. They claimed the gap between fares and operating costs has left many drivers struggling to meet household expenses and vehicle loan repayments.
Drivers said they have repeatedly raised the issue with authorities but have received assurances without any concrete resolution.
The association demanded enforcement of government-approved fare rates and warned of a wider agitation if their concerns remain unaddressed. It said taxi and auto-rickshaw services could be disrupted in the city if no action is taken.
