Delhi-NCR transport strike today: All you need to know in 10 points

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Updated: Jul 01, 2020 03:51 IST

Schools in the National Capital Region will remain closed on Thursday as transport associations in Delhi and Noida have called for a strike to protest against the hefty penalties for road traffic violations under the newly amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act.

Commuters are likely to face problems as public transport would be off the roads on Thursday. The strike comes days after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the new law has improved traffic situation on Delhi roads.

Here are the top 10 points in this story:

1- The United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) has called for the strike which represents 41 associations and unions of goods and passenger segments, including trucks, buses, autos, tempos, maxi-cabs and taxis plying in the Delhi-NCR region.

2- UFTA’s office bearers on Wednesday alleged that both the central and Delhi government are forcing them to go for the strike.

3- “On Thursday, it will be a one-day strike. But, we will have a general body meeting in two-three days. By then, if the Central or state government do not come up with a solution, then we shall go on an indefinite strike,” said Harish Sabharwal, chairman, UFTA.

4- The total expected per day loss in revenue of the transporters owing to the strike is going to be about Rs 23,000 crore.

5- Private buses, auto-rickshaws, a section of app-based cabs, trucks, grameen sevas and school vans will be off the roads on Thursday.

Also Watch: Transport strike in Delhi-NCR against penalties in new Motor Vehicles Act

6- Many parents received messages from their children’s schools informing them that educational institutes will be closed on Thursday.

7- Some schools have decided to postpone exams that were scheduled to be held on Thursday and many have extended their preparatory leaves.

8- Most of the schools in Ghaziabad too will remain shut on Thursday. “We have asked all our member schools to remain shut on Thursday. This is because we do not wish to risk the safety of our children in case the protests turn violent. We have 86 members schools and all of them will stay shut on Thursday,” said Subhash Jain, chairperson of the Independent Schools Federation.

9- The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill came into effect on September 1. It has enhanced the penalties for driving errors like not wearing a seat belt, jumping red light, drunk driving errors, among others.

10- The penalty for vehicle without number plate has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 500, if a driver is caught without licence, he will have to pay Rs 1,000. For talking on mobile phone while driving the fine has been raised from Rs 500 to Rs 1000. Driving without helmet/seat belt will be Rs 500 for first offence and Rs 1,000 for subsequent offences.