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Several commuters in Kolkata faced the Monday morning blues, with over 10,000 taxis remaining off the roads.
The city has around 30,000 to 35,000 taxis (yellow cabs that include Ambassadors mostly and some Indigos) apart from blue and white "no-refusal taxis'', handful of "blue arrow'' AC cabs, and some radio cab services.
Mostly the yellow taxis remained off the roads with drivers protesting against the imposition of hefty fine by the city police for refusing to ferry passengers. At least, ₹ 3,000 is said to be imposed on taxi drivers.
Following instances of such refusal, several licences ( of taxis) have also been cancelled by the State Government.
According to police sources, some 8,000-10,000 odd taxi drivers belonging mostly to the CPI-M-backed CITU trade union have organised the protest. Other unions - both independent and backed by various political groups - have also joined the protest, resulting in harassment.
The protest comes just four days after several taxi drivers staged a flash strike at the Esplanade area — city centre — of Kolkata. The protest resulted in traffic snarls and violence with the police resorting to lathi-charge to disperse the gathering.
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