According to the unions, taxi fares in the Delhi-NCR area have remained unchanged for the past 15 years, despite significant hikes in the costs of CNG, petrol, and diesel.
On Monday, the All India Motor Transport Congress sent a letter to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, presenting their demands.
Commercial vehicle drivers in Delhi will observe a three-day strike from May 21 to May 23. Unions have cited that taxi fares in the Delhi-NCR region have not been increased for the past 15 years, and the rising prices of CNG, petrol, and diesel as the reason for the strike.
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2026
“With the ongoing rise in CNG, petrol, and diesel prices, middle-class drivers are finding it increasingly difficult to support their families. As a result, the ‘Chaalak Shakti Union’ has coordinated a Chakka Jam (strike) and is urging drivers not to operate vehicles on May 21, 22, and 23,” stated Anuj Kumar Rathore, vice-president of the Chaalak Shakti Union.
The unions have warned that if the government fails to increase fares and issue a notification within one or two weeks, their protest will escalate into a larger demonstration.
The drivers also called for “strong policies to combat the economic exploitation of taxi drivers.”
They claimed that app-based cab companies were raising prices and “acting arbitrarily,” while taxi drivers in Delhi endure “economic exploitation and conditions akin to slavery.”
Last week, the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Union and the Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union also appealed to the chief minister for a fare increase.
A protest is scheduled to take place at the Delhi Secretariat on May 23.
(With input from agencies)
First Published: May 19, 2026 9:22 AM IST
