The ongoing chaos began when the Tamil Nadu transport department briefly banned bike taxis after protests erupted, only to revoke the ban hours later on Wednesday. A heated protest by auto drivers in Saidapet turned violent on Thursday when a bike taxi driver from Rajasthan was assaulted for picking up a customer near the protest site. Three auto drivers were remanded as the standoff entered its third day without any clear response from the govt.
Frustrated with overcharging auto drivers, commuters are turning to bike taxis for affordability and convenience. "This recurring chaos during their protests needs to end. The govt must take a firm stance," said N Kannan, a regular bike taxi user.
Bike taxi drivers, many of whom work part-time, question the hostility. "If the govt says bike taxis are legal, what's the problem," asked Manikandan, a bike-taxi driver. Auto drivers, however, insist they only want regulation, with taxes and permits similar to their own, said protest leader D Chandran.
Transport minister S S Sivasankar said the govt is exploring regulatory guidelines while awaiting clarity from the Union govt and court directions. "The Madras high court lifted the stay on bike taxis in 2019, urging the state to frame guidelines. The Centre recently allowed two-wheelers for commercial use with permits. It's time the state decides," said Jude Mathew of the independent rental vehicles owners and drivers association.
Advocate Godwin S highlighted the legal hurdles, including denied compensation and insurance claims for bike taxi accident victims. The ongoing chaos began when the Tamil Nadu transport department briefly banned bike taxis after protests erupted, only to revoke the ban hours later on Wednesday.
