The unions stated that taxi fares in the Delhi-NCR area have remained unchanged for the last 15 years, despite significant hikes in the prices of CNG, petrol, and diesel.
On Monday, the All India Motor Transport Congress addressed a letter to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, voicing their demands.
Commercial vehicle drivers in Delhi will observe a three-day strike from May 21 to May 23. Unions have cited that taxi fares in the Delhi-NCR region have not been increased for the past 15 years, and the rising prices of CNG, petrol, and diesel as the reason for the strike.
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2026
“With the relentless rise in CNG, petrol, and diesel prices, middle-class drivers are finding it increasingly difficult to support their families. Consequently, in collaboration with other organizations in Delhi, the ‘Chaalak Shakti Union’ has announced a Chakka Jam (strike), urging drivers not to operate their vehicles on May 21, 22, and 23,” stated Anuj Kumar Rathore, vice-president of the Chaalak Shakti Union.
The unions have warned that if the government fails to raise fares and release a notification within one or two weeks, the protest will escalate into a larger demonstration.
The drivers also insisted that “robust policies be developed to prevent the economic exploitation of taxi drivers.”
They claimed that app-based cab companies are hiking their rates and “acting without accountability,” while taxi drivers in Delhi are enduring “economic exploitation and conditions akin to slavery.”
Last week, both the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Union and the Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union reached out to the chief minister requesting a fare increase.
Additionally, the unions have announced plans for a protest at the Delhi Secretariat on May 23.
(With input from agencies)
First Published: May 19, 2026 9:22 AM IST
