GUWAHATI: The city is set to experience a transportation upheaval as Ola and Uber drivers unite for a 48-hour strike starting tomorrow.
The protest comes in response to the alleged severe penalties stipulated for drivers involved in hit-and-run cases under the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita – the new criminal code replacing the age-old Indian Penal Code.
The Assam Motor Workers Union, the driving force behind this strike, is vocal about their opposition to what they perceive as excessively harsh consequences.
Their primary concern revolves around penalties tied to hit-and-run incidents, a matter that has stirred significant unrest among the city’s cab drivers.
“We will stick to our decision of not plying vehicles on the road on January 5 and 6. Despite the President of India approving the new criminal code and the gazette notification on December 25, the Home Secretary’s assurances on implementation remain unconvincing,” declared a unified body of transport operators, drivers, and workers.
This unrest comes on the heels of Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla’s recent announcement on January 2, assuring the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) that the new rule would not be implemented immediately.
However, the drivers seem skeptical and remain steadfast in their decision to proceed with the strike.
The core bone of contention revolves around the penalties for hit-and-run cases, where an individual causing a fatal accident and fleeing the scene could potentially face ten years of imprisonment and a hefty fine of Rs 7 lakh.
The stringent measures are part of the government’s response to a disturbing 12% increase in road accidents in 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The alarming statistics further revealed a grim reality – every hour, 19 lives were lost in road accidents across India.
The total number of accidents stood at a staggering 4,61,312, resulting in 1,68,491 fatalities and leaving 4,43,366 individuals injured.
As Guwahati braces for the imminent strike, the city’s residents are left wondering about the potential impact on their daily commutes.
