Auto, call taxi and rental-vehicle drivers in Tamil Nadu withdrew their hunger strike after Transport Minister Parthiban held talks with representatives of the protesting workers, according to a report by Dinamalar. The protest had been held near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, Chennai, with drivers from across the state taking part.
The drivers’ central demand was an increase in auto fares, which they said had not been revised in Tamil Nadu for 14 years. The hunger strike was organised by representatives of auto, call taxi and rental-vehicle drivers, bringing together workers from different segments of the city’s and state’s contract and on-demand transport network.
Dinamalar reported that the protest took place near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore. The location placed the demonstration within a central Chennai neighbourhood that is served by a mix of public transport, autos, taxis and other private vehicles. The report did not provide the number of participants, the fare revision sought by the drivers or details of any government decision on the demand.
The demand for a fare increase comes from a sector in which drivers directly depend on passenger payments while operating in a changing urban transport market. Auto-rickshaws and call taxis fill gaps between homes, transit stations, workplaces and other destinations, particularly where fixed-route public transport does not provide a direct connection. Any change in fares can therefore affect both driver earnings and the cost paid by passengers.
The report said the drivers had raised the issue of the fare remaining unchanged for 14 years. It did not specify the existing fare structure, the last date on which fares were revised or whether the state government had begun a formal process to reassess rates. It also did not state whether the discussions covered digital ride-hailing platforms, fuel costs, permits, operating expenses or enforcement.
The protest was withdrawn after Transport Minister Parthiban held talks with the protesting representatives. The report did not disclose the outcome of the discussions, whether a written assurance was issued or whether a timeline was set for considering the fare demand. These details will determine whether the withdrawal represents a settlement or a temporary suspension of the agitation.
For passengers, the immediate implication is that the protest has ended without a reported change in fares. For drivers, the core issue remains unresolved in the information available so far: how fares should be reviewed after a prolonged period without revision. The next formal step from the Transport Department, including any announcement on fare revision or further consultations, will establish how the demand is handled.
The state-level participation described in the report also indicates that the issue extends beyond a single Chennai demonstration. However, the available account does not provide a district-wise breakdown, the names of all participating organisations or the number of drivers represented. Further details are expected from the Transport Department or the driver representatives following the ministerial talks.
