Chaos Erupts Due to the ‘All India Breakdown’ Strike by Ola-Uber Drivers — What’s the Reason?

All India Ola-Uber Strike 2026: Today, the strike by drivers associated with app-based ride platforms across the country brought daily travel to a sudden halt. Called under the banner of “All India Breakdown,” the protest was announced to continue for approximately six hours. From early morning, several cities witnessed a noticeable drop in the availability of cabs and bike taxis, causing significant inconvenience to office-goers, students, and passengers heading to airports.

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What Is the Reason Behind the Strike?

The strike was jointly called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and other national labor organizations. The union has alleged that app-based aggregator companies are arbitrarily fixing fares and have failed to establish a minimum base fare for drivers. They claim that despite the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, companies are not fully complying with the prescribed regulations.

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Why Are Drivers Upset?

According to the union, the absence of a clearly defined minimum fare structure has led to a steady decline in drivers’ earnings. Rising fuel prices, increasing vehicle maintenance costs, and high platform commissions have collectively placed immense financial pressure on drivers. They assert that in many cases, they are compelled to accept rides at fares that do not even cover their operational costs.

In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, the union demanded that a nationwide minimum base fare for app-based transport services be officially notified. They have insisted that this fare should be determined after consultation with driver unions to ensure a balanced outcome benefiting all stakeholders.

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Strong Objection to the Use of Private Vehicles

Another major cause of the strike is the alleged use of private (non-commercial) vehicles for commercial ride services. The union contends that this practice creates unfair competition for licensed commercial drivers. They argue that when private vehicles are deployed for commercial operations, it violates regulatory norms and severely impacts the income of drivers holding proper taxi permits.

The union has demanded a strict ban on the use of non-commercial vehicles for commercial passenger and goods transport and has called for rigorous enforcement of existing rules

Impact on Passengers

Reports indicate that in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, cab availability was significantly reduced during peak morning hours. There were also complaints of surge pricing in several locations. Although some drivers chose not to participate in the strike, overall services remained disrupted.

Passengers were advised to rely on alternative modes of transportation such as metro services, buses, or carpooling. Travelers were also urged to check app availability before commencing their journeys.

What Happens Next?

While the strike was announced as a six-hour protest, the union has indicated that if their demands are not met with concrete action, further and intensified agitation may follow. All eyes are now on the government and aggregator companies to see how they respond.

It is evident that the debate surrounding regulation, transparency, and income security in the app-based transport sector has intensified. In the coming days, this issue could become a major subject of policy-level discussion.