Ola Uber Strike in Mumbai Continues for Third Day, Commuters Left Stranded
Ola Uber strike in Mumbai has taken over headlines for the third consecutive day, and the roads across the city are feeling the heat—literally and figuratively. Whether you’re trying to catch a flight, attend a meeting in Bandra-Kurla Complex, or simply commute to work, chances are you’ve been left waiting for a cab that never arrives.
What started as a murmur of discontent among a few drivers has now turned into a full-blown protest that has brought app-based cab services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido to a standstill across the city.
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Mumbai’s Cab Chaos: The Story So Far
The strike began on July 15, led by unions such as the Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh and the Indian Gig Workers Front. These groups represent thousands of drivers who say they are being squeezed by rising fuel prices, high commissions by cab aggregators, and stagnant earnings.
From South Mumbai to Andheri and all the way to Mumbai Airport, commuters are facing the brunt. Nearly 90% of app-based cabs have vanished from the roads, causing widespread disruptions and increasing wait times for the few that are still available.
What Are the Drivers Demanding?
The drivers aren’t asking for the moon—they’re asking for dignity in earnings. Here are the key demands made by drivers across platforms:
- Fare parity with traditional black-and-yellow taxis, ideally ₹18/km or more
- Reduced commission rates taken by app companies
- Ban on bike taxis, which drivers say are unsafe and lead to oversupply
- Permit caps on traditional autos and taxis to balance the market
- Implementation of the Maharashtra Aggregator Policy
- Formation of a Gig Workers Welfare Board
- Introduction of a Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act, inspired by similar policies in other Indian states
Currently, drivers claim they earn as little as ₹8–12 per km after aggregator deductions. With rising fuel and maintenance costs, they say it’s no longer sustainable.
The Airport Blues: Travel Delays and Passenger Warnings
If you’re heading to the airport, think twice before relying on Ola or Uber.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has issued a travel advisory warning passengers of limited app-based cab services. The advisory urges travelers to arrange alternative transport and leave early for flights to avoid delays.
A City on Pause: How It’s Affecting Daily Life
Mumbai’s famously chaotic—but efficient—commute system has been jolted. Schoolchildren, office-goers, tourists, and senior citizens have all reported long wait times, sometimes over 30 minutes, with many facing multiple cancellations.
The impact is especially visible at hotspots like:
- Mumbai Airport
- Railway Stations
- Bandra-Kurla Complex
- South Mumbai business hubs
During rush hours, dynamic pricing has shot through the roof due to reduced availability, adding to commuter woes.
Has the Government Responded?
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has met with protest leaders earlier this week. However, despite the meeting, no formal written commitments have been made. This lack of assurance has only strengthened the drivers’ resolve to continue the strike.
In a statement quoted by Times Now News, Sarnaik said,
“We explained everything, but the protest is still on. That’s not right.”
Despite this, unions say they won’t call off the strike until they receive clear written commitments on fare revisions, commission structure, and long-term protections for gig workers.
A Bigger Movement Is Brewing
This isn’t just a Mumbai issue anymore. The protest has started spreading to Pune and Nagpur, with growing momentum. A sit-in protest is also planned at Azad Maidan, and organizers expect a bigger turnout in the coming days.
Kiran Kshirsagar, president of Maharashtra Gig Works Manch, noted that around 70% of app-based drivers in other cities have also begun participating, showing the shared frustration across Maharashtra.
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What Lies Ahead?
Until an agreement is reached, the Ola Uber strike in Mumbai is likely to continue—and potentially expand. Commuters are advised to:
- Use public transport where possible
- Book cabs well in advance
- Monitor advisories from the airport and city authorities
For drivers, this isn’t just a strike—it’s a call for dignity, fairness, and recognition. With gig work becoming more mainstream, India is at a crossroads in how it treats the people who power its app-based economy.
Protest Intensifies: Azad Maidan to Witness Mass Sit-in
As the Ola Uber strike in Mumbai enters its fourth consecutive day, the situation is only getting more intense. On Friday, drivers from Ola, Uber, and Rapido have planned a large-scale protest at Azad Maidan, in the heart of South Mumbai, to demand urgent government attention to their unresolved issues.
Dr. KN Kshirsagar, president of the Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, confirmed that the strike has now reached a critical point.
“The cabbies will sit on a protest at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai from Friday to further intensify their agitation. No deliberations took place with the government after the meeting with state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik at Mantralaya on Tuesday,” he told PTI.
Despite initial discussions earlier in the week, no follow-up dialogues have occurred, and drivers are demanding rationalisation of fares, bringing them at par with traditional meter-run taxis and autos.
Strike’s Growing Impact Across Mumbai
As per union estimates, nearly 70% of app-based cabs were already off the roads by Wednesday. By Thursday, that number soared to 90%, leaving only a handful of cabs available across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The impact has been especially visible at airports and railway stations, where long queues and frustrated passengers have become the new normal. In fact, videos circulating on social media even show striking drivers urging or forcing fellow drivers to stop accepting rides and join the protest.
The Core Demands Remain the Same
The crux of the protest continues to revolve around fairness in pay and working conditions. The five key demands that drivers are fighting for include:
- Rationalisation of fares to match those of metered black-and-yellow taxis
- A complete ban on bike taxis, citing safety and oversupply concerns
- A cap on the number of taxi and auto permits to avoid market saturation
- Creation of a Welfare Board for app-based drivers
- Immediate implementation of the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act
While the protest currently centers around Mumbai, the ripple effects are being felt in Pune and Nagpur as well, with more drivers joining the cause in solidarity.
What’s Next?
As the Ola Uber strike in Mumbai continues with no resolution in sight, the on-ground movement is gaining momentum. With Friday’s protest at Azad Maidan expected to draw a large crowd, all eyes are on whether the state government will finally respond with tangible action.
Until then, commuters must brace for more disruptions and longer waits. And for the drivers, this strike remains not just a protest—but a push for long-term recognition and rights in the gig economy.
For now, Mumbaikars can only wait—both literally and metaphorically—for the wheels to start turning again.
