Mumbai local trains blocked, Ola and Uber on strike: Double blow for Mumbaikars

The ongoing indefinite strike by Ola and Uber cab drivers has come as a major setback for thousands of office-goers and commuters in Mumbai.

Mumbai: In a double blow for thousands of commuters in Mumbai, the ongoing indefinite strike by hundreds of Ola and Uber cab drivers has hit them hard as a protest by job aspirants led to the cancellation of several trains between Dadar and Kurla route.

The indefinite strike by Uber and Ola drivers began on Monday and it affected commuters in Mumbai the hardest, with little or no impact in Bengaluru, New Delhi and Hyderabad.

Railways has issued a helpline number 020-23061763 and a local emergency helpline number 020-23004000 to help those seeking information about the movement of trains vis-a-vis the ongoing protest by the job seekers.

Some reports also claimed that in view of the ongoing protests, some Ola and Uber cab drivers were over-charging the passengers and dropping them mid-way.

Some even complained that some Ola and Uber cab drivers have simply refused to ferry them to their destination despite several requests. 

Hundreds of drivers of the app-based cab service operators - Ola and Uber – have been on a strike demanding higher wages. 

The 'rail roko' by job seekers began this morning, forcing railway to stop the suburban as well as express train in the affected section between Matunga and CSMT.

Entire four lines are affected between Matunga and CSMT, the reports said. 

Police and railway official are having talks with them, a Central Railway official said.

"There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student who was part of the protest said.

"We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed," another student said.

"Mumbai Police along with GRP and RPF jawans are having talks with the students and railway's first priority was to clear the track first," Chief PRO of Central Railway Sunil Udasi said.

Thousands of students shouting slogans against railways held a placard in their hands demanding one-time settlement from GM quota and said that they demand jobs from government.