Visakhapatnam Cab Drivers' Protest Enters Fifth Day, Services Hit
The protest by drivers working with app-based taxi aggregators entered its fifth day in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, causing disruption to services operated by Ola, Uber, and Rapido in several parts of the city.
The drivers, demanding a revision of fares in line with the increase in petrol, diesel, and CNG prices, staged a demonstration near the airport. They stated that repeated representations to the district administration and transport authorities have yielded no response, prompting them to escalate their agitation.
The protesters raised slogans demanding higher fares, withdrawal of double and triple ride allocations, and a 50 per cent surcharge on night trips. The protest affected cab services in areas such as Pendurthi, PM Palem, Gajuwaka, and Kurmannapalem, causing inconvenience to commuters.
Addressing the gathering, CITU Cab Union general secretary Poli Naidu said that between 4,000 and 5,000 drivers in Visakhapatnam depend on Ola, Uber, and Rapido for their livelihood. Despite the steady increase in fuel prices, the companies have neither revised fares nor addressed the concerns of drivers, resulting in severe financial hardship, he alleged.
Fuel prices in India have risen significantly in recent months due to global crude oil price volatility and domestic taxation. As of May 2025, petrol and diesel prices in Visakhapatnam are around Rs 105 and Rs 94 per litre respectively, while CNG prices have also increased. This has squeezed the earnings of drivers who operate on commission-based models with ride-hailing platforms.
The union urged the government and the ride-hailing companies to resolve the issues at the earliest. It warned that the agitation would be expanded up to the Bhogapuram airport corridor if the demands remained unaddressed. The drivers said they would continue their protest until a favourable decision is taken.
Similar protests by cab drivers have been reported in other Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai, highlighting a nationwide discontent over fare structures and working conditions. The platforms have defended their pricing models, citing market dynamics and operational costs.
The Visakhapatnam district administration has not issued an official statement on the protest. Transport authorities said they are in dialogue with the union representatives but no breakthrough has been achieved so far.
