Auto, taxi drivers to meet in Alandi on illegal bike taxis, app fares and welfare board

Pune, November 14, 2026: Organisations of auto-rickshaw, taxi and cab drivers from across Maharashtra will hold a meeting in Alandi on Sunday, November 15. The meeting will oppose the growing number of illegal bike taxis. It will also discuss the alleged arbitrary fare policy of app-based aggregator companies.

The proposed welfare board for drivers and vehicle owners has not yet started functioning. The meeting will discuss this delay. It will also consider the possibility of launching a statewide agitation to press the unions' demands.

The state-level joint meeting will be held at 11 am at the Samasta Harle Vaishnav Samaj Dharamshala, opposite the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj temple in Alandi.

Dr Baba Kamble, national president of the Auto Taxi Transport Federation of India, founder president of the Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat and founder of the Maharashtra State Auto Taxi Driver-Owner Organisations Joint Action Committee, said representatives of unions from different districts, legal advisers and activists would attend.

The unions allege that the growing number of illegal bike taxis in Maharashtra is hurting the business of licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. They also allege that app-based companies are imposing arbitrary fares, leading to the economic exploitation of drivers.

Another major concern is the welfare board. The state government had announced it for auto-rickshaw, taxi and cab drivers and owners, but there has been a delay in starting it.

The meeting will discuss the demand to stop illegal bike taxis and take strict action against the companies operating them. The demand to bring the fare policy of app-based aggregator companies under regulation will also be raised. A demand will also be made for the immediate launch of the welfare board with an adequate budget.

The agenda also includes alleged corruption in licence renewal and vehicle fitness checks. The meeting will also discuss getting designated parking stands for rickshaws and protecting drivers' rights under labour laws.

The unions will also decide their future strategy, including a statewide march, a sit-in agitation and an administrative non-cooperation movement. They also plan to submit a detailed legal memorandum to the state government.

Kamble has appealed to auto-rickshaw, taxi and cab drivers and owners across the state to attend the meeting in large numbers.