Ola, Uber, Rapido Drivers to Hold Statewide Strike in Telangana Today

Commuters across Telangana are likely to face disruptions in Ola, Uber, Rapido and other app-based transport services today as thousands of cab drivers, auto drivers, bike taxi riders, delivery partners and goods transport workers observe a statewide flash strike called by the Telangana App-Based Drivers Forum (TADF). The protest has also received support from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and several trade unions.

The strike is expected to affect services operated through Ola, Uber, Rapido, Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit and Porter, leading to reduced availability of cabs, autos, bike taxis, food deliveries and goods transport, especially in Hyderabad and other major cities.

Workers say they have been forced to protest after repeated appeals to the Telangana government and app-based aggregator companies failed to resolve their long-pending grievances. Their key demands include a minimum base fare, fair per-kilometre and per-minute charges, lower commissions charged by aggregator platforms, transparent fare calculations, and stronger social security measures such as insurance and welfare benefits. They have also sought the immediate notification of the Gig and Platform Workers Rules, formation of a Welfare Board, and implementation of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, which they say would ensure fair pricing and better protection for gig workers.

Addressing a round-table meeting in Hyderabad, TGPWU founder-president Shaik Salauddin apologised to commuters while defending the protest. "We sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience. However, app-based cab drivers, auto drivers, goods transport drivers and delivery workers have been left with no other option. Our fight is for fair fares, decent livelihoods and justice for all gig and platform workers," he said.

Explaining the workers' demands, Salauddin added, "We are demanding a fair base fare, rational commissions, implementation of the Gig and Platform Workers Rules, formation of a Welfare Board, and enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. These measures are essential to ensure sustainable incomes and social security for app-based workers."

Trade union leaders described the agitation as part of a broader movement for labour rights and urged all platform workers across Telangana to participate. The organisers said today's protest is a warning to both the state government and app-based companies. If their demands remain unresolved, they warned that an indefinite statewide strike will begin on August 8, potentially causing prolonged disruption to app-based transport and delivery services.