On Monday the auto-rickshaw union led by Sharad Rao went on one day strike in Mumbai suburbs resulted into inconvenience to lakhs of commuters.

The strike by Mumbai Auto-rickshawmen’s Union came in spite of one rupee increase on the minimum fare to Rs. 12 from Rs. 11 last week, was allowed by the Regional Transport Authority.

More than 20,000 auto owners in allegiance with MAU went off roads from the midnight itself the union commanded by Shiv Sena, Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is not in the favour of strike.

In spite of less strength as compared to MAU, other unions tried to fill the emptiness by providing services to commuters that also included shared trip in pick hour however that was not enough.

Commuters had to remain in serpentine and long queue at the BEST stops, whereas the students appearing for the final exams needed to sacrifice their one hour of studies to reach the exam centres at different place on time.

Due to the strike, the BEST buses were over crowed, in spite of addition of extra bus services, as the rush got diverted towards the buses.

More than 100,000 auto-rickshaws are plying the western and eastern suburbs of Mumbai.

Haji Arafat Sheikh from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led said that, they are not participating in the strike as state government has already permitted increase in the fair by Rs. 1 from April 20.

An officer possessor from Rickshaw Chalak Malak Sena led by Shiv Sena also said that, they have asked their drivers not to get intimidated by strategy of union led by Sharad Rao.

Swabhimaan Sanghatna’s leader K.K.Tiwari said that, the strike has no point as the government has already permitted the hike in fair by Rs.1 from coming April 20.