Commuters in Ranchi Stranded as Autorickshaw Strike Continues

Ranchi faced significant transportation disruption on Thursday as autorickshaws went on strike to protest government restrictions. Commuters, including schoolchildren, struggled to reach their destinations, with some forced to walk long distances. The strike has also affected cab aggregators and city buses.

Ranchi encountered major transport difficulties on Thursday as autorickshaws, the city's transportation backbone, ceased operations in protest against new government restrictions.

Various associations have also halted cab aggregator and city bus services from Thursday, exacerbating the issue.

Schoolchildren faced a particularly tough journey, with some walking several kilometers alongside their parents to reach schools.

'Due to the strike of autorickshaws, we are facing a big trouble. My daughter and I have been walking for six kilometers to and fro for the past two days,' Babita Devi, a parent, told PTI, after leaving her daughter at a private school in Dipatoli Ranchi.

Many students who rely on autorickshaws for transport are experiencing similar difficulties across Ranchi.

Train and bus passengers are also affected by the strike.

The few autorickshaws that continue to operate are charging exorbitant fares.

Autorickshaw associations, including those for battery-operated e-rickshaws, have been on an indefinite strike since August 27 to protest several issues such as prescribed routes, permit discrepancies, and hefty fines imposed by the Ranchi district administration.

Dinesh Soni, president of the State CNG Auto Driver's Association, stated that the administration has divided the entire Ranchi city into four zones and prescribed 17 routes for autorickshaws and 113 routes for e-rickshaws.

'The autorickshaw and e-rickshaw associations have protested the new route charts. We want a rollback of the new route chart,' Soni said.

He also mentioned that the administration has limited the operation of permit-holding autorickshaws to just three kilometers.

'There are 5,000 permit-holding autorickshaws while 12,000 non-permit autos. The number of permits is not being increased and now the kilometer limit has also been reduced,' he added.

A senior official from the Ranchi traffic department stated that these measures aim to reduce traffic congestion and address the issue of frequent traffic jams.

(With inputs from agencies.)