Protesting taxi drivers jam Delhi roads, Gadkari to ask SC to reconsider ban on diesel cabs

The national capital groaned under traffic woes today as hundreds of cab drivers blocked National Highway 8 and Ring Road, protesting against action by enforcement agencies following the Supreme Court's order to ban diesel taxis in the National Capital Region (NCR).

While the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government termed it a "motivated protest", Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government will ask the Supreme Court to reconsider a ban on diesel cabs, that has pulled nearly 30,000 taxis off the roads.

In the early hours today, a group of protesters blocked both carriageways near the Rajokri toll booth on NH-8, which led to a long tailback stretching over a kilometer in the area. The situation turned worse at around 11.30 am when protesters blocked both carriageways on the Ring Road stretch at Maharani Bagh, close to Ashram Chowk. Within moments, cars started piling up near Dhaulakuan, Kapashera and Mehrauli. The congestion largely affected thousands of office-goers who travel between Delhi and Gurgaon, linked by NH-8. Subsequently, the traffic helpline was bombarded with calls from distressed commuters.

The second blockade directly hit traffic in areas like Sarai Kale Khan, Ashram, Nehru Nagar, Lajpat Nagar and Moolchand stretching up to AIIMS. The protesters included diesel cab drivers with All India Tourist Permits (AITP), who are exempted from the ban provided they operate outside NCR. Diesel cab operators expressed unhappiness with the enforcement department of the Delhi government and traffic police action after the apex court order.

According to the Delhi transport department, around 60,000 taxis are registered in the national capital, of which 27,000 run on diesel. Around 2,000 diesel-run taxis had converted into CNG in the last two months. As per diesel cab operators, in several states, there are no arrangements of CNG supply. Secondly, converting petrol vehicle into CNG is easy, but this is not the case with heavy diesel vehicles. As per operators, only 1400CC diesel vehicle can be converted into CNG, therefore this advice to go CNG is not a practical advice.

Meanwhile, political blame game also erupted with Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai indicating that the protests are motivated, and the BJP alleging that the Delhi government has not presented their case despite getting enough time. Satish Upadhaya alleged that enough time was given by the Supreme Court and the Delhi government should have taken step to phase them out after due consultation with operators.

Going by the indications, diesel cab operators may continue with their protest on Tuesday as well.