Autorickshaw drivers staged a protest at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada on September 24 (Sunday) to draw the State government’s attention to various issues plaguing them.
Addressing the drivers, Indian Federation of Trade Unions State General Secretary K. Polari slammed the YSCRP government for neglecting the welfare of drivers. “On the one hand, prices of diesel, petrol and gas are increasing while on the other, auto drivers are being slapped with exorbitant fines in the name of challans,” he said.
Rafi, an auto driver, said the traffic police are collecting anywhere from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 for halting in the ‘No Parking Zone’ near the Pandit Nehru Bus Station, Kanaka Durga Temple and the railway station. “First of all, there are no designated parking spaces here. Where are we supposed to halt?” he said.
