Three protesting cabbies have been walking the 150km distance from Pune to Mumbai to highlight the plight of app-based cabs and their problems. Affiliated to the Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, these three have been working as cab drivers in Pune and have been upset with the “injustice” meted out to them as app cab drivers.
Starting from Pune on April 10, the trio have walked their way to Mumbai with four halts and reached the city border this morning to be at Azad Maidan on Wednesday to hand over a petition to the authorities. The trio-Parmeshwar Ghonge, Santosh Durge and Vaibhav Bhegde, all in their 40s- had crossed Andheri and reached near the international airport in the evening on their way to Azad Maidan.
What is the protest about?
The protest has been undertaken to highlight the administration`s attention of the administration to the fact that app-based companies are doing business illegally across the state, and there has been strong dissatisfaction among the drivers.
In particular, the arbitrary rates displayed on the app, ignoring the orders of the Transport Department, and the continuation of bike taxi services in cities like Mumbai and Nagpur despite several FIRs being filed without any valid license, have caused widespread discontent among both drivers and passengers.
Other issues include repeated charging of fees from drivers under the guise of ‘panic button’, lack of transparency in commission, and non-compliance with government-approved rates.
In Maharashtra (Mumbai Metropolitan Region), app-based cabs (Ola, Uber, Rapido) are now mandated to follow government-notified rates. These rates aim to balance fares between passenger affordability and driver earnings. But companies have been reportedly ignoring them, citing surge pricing and other factors.
Trade union support
“We have called it padayatra for justice. The foot march started by three cab drivers from Pune on 10 April 2026 has reached the Andheri Airport area today, 14 April. This march has been organised to protest against the injustice being done to cab drivers in the state and the arbitrary management of app-based companies. On 15 April 2026, these cab drivers will reach Azad Maidan in Mumbai at 4 pm, after which they will meet the transport officials and submit their representation,” Dr Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, president: Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, told mid-day. Kshirsagar has been the pioneer of the OnlyMeter campaign to enforce strict adherence to metered fares for auto rickshaws and taxis, bypassing app-based surge pricing.
The plan
While the team leader, Dr Keshav Kshirsagar, an MBBS himself, has been guiding the protestors for any medical requirements all along on their way, his team has been providing support by getting the medication required while on the ground. The team has braved the sun and walked the distance with four pit stops at night, Talegaon, Khopoli, Kamothe and Sanpada for two to three hours.
The route
Pune RTO, Talegaon, Khopoli, Panvel, Kamothe, Sanpada, Vashi, Andheri, Airport, Azad Maidan.
The trio
Santosh Durge
“Our legs ached, the sun drained us out. But the fight needs to go on. The rates given by the government are not seen in the app, due to which there are fights between us and commuters. The app companies are not following government norms, and we are facing the heat. The app bikes are operating illegally and have made a big dent in the business. Despite the government banning them, they are operating with impunity. Besides this, there are a lot of other issues.
Parmeshwar Ghonge
“We fell ill on the way, had a lot of medical issues, but the determination to fight injustice kept me going, and we were provided with timely medical advice. We intend to reach Mumbai and hand over the petition to the transport minister and the Chief Minister. It is unfair that despite government notification, the rules are not being followed.
Vaibhav Bhegde
We got blisters on the feet and chafing on the inner thigh due to excessive walking, but the determination to complete the protest has not dwindled. We represent the app cab community, and all this is to get the attention of the government. Various drivers and app cab owners supported us all the way through the journey.
Official speak
“We have several times asked companies to give government rates on their applications, but companies are pointing fingers at each other for not obeying his orders. We have been following up on the issue,” a transport official said.
