Monday manic in Mumbai as autorickshaws keep off roads

Members of the Mumbai Autorickshaw Men's Union led by trade unionist Sharad Rao also staged protests near the transport commissioner's office in suburban Bandra for their demands.

Autorickshaw drivers participated in a rally to the State Transport Commissioner's office causing traffic snarls along the western express highway.

Sharad Rao, however, maintained that he did not call for a strike but had asked autorickshaw drivers to participate in the protest march.

Rao's union has been demanding more share autos in the suburbs, pre-paid autos outside Borivali, Bandra Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and also at the airport.

The latest agitation by auto drivers comes few days after a flash strike by rogue rickshaw drivers who were protesting against the Regional Transport Office drive against tampered meters.