Full Breakdown
Delhi DTC Drivers’ Strike Enters Third Day, Disrupting Commuter Travel
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Drivers’ Strike Halts DTC Bus Operations
On September 15 a walk-out by contractual drivers of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) began, and by the third day most of the corporation’s 6,840 buses were idle. Union figures claim roughly 90 % of the 10,000-plus drivers are on strike, halting service at depots across Burari, Nangloi, Rewla Khanpur, GTK, Nehru Place, Shadipur and others.
Background & Context
DTC’s fleet is operated by private agencies under contract. Drivers receive a daily wage of INR862, the minimum wage set by the Delhi government, which they say does not reflect the skill required to drive large electric buses. The DTC Karamchari Ekta Union is demanding a minimum daily wage of INR2,000, annual bonuses, payment for work on government holidays, comprehensive medical insurance, overtime pay and a weekly day off.
Data & Statistics
- 6,840 DTC buses normally serve the capital, with daily ridership of around 40 lakh passengers.
- Union estimates put ?10,000–12,000 drivers and conductors on strike.
- Metro ridership rose from 72.73 lakh on Monday to 80.71 lakh on Wednesday as commuters shifted modes.
- The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) added eight extra trains and 20 additional trips to absorb the surge, with plans for up to eight more trains between 8 am and 8 pm.
Impact on Commuters
Commuters have been forced to seek alternatives at higher cost. A cancer patient waiting at Lok Nayak Hospital reported having to choose between a costly shared tempo and a stair-heavy Metro ride. Daily-wage workers, students and office-goers describe long waits at bus stops, overcrowded Metro stations and auto-rickshaw fares that have jumped from INR20–30 to INR70–150 for short trips.
Official Statements & Responses
Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said a meeting with drivers and private concessionaires had resulted in most demands being approved, with only the salary-hike issue pending further consultation with the Labour Department. He appealed for an immediate end to the strike, urging drivers not to be “misguided.”
Union president Lalit Chaudhary countered that none of the core demands have been met and warned that the strike will continue until a concrete solution is offered.
Criticism & Opposition
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticised the ruling BJP government for “paying absolutely no attention” to the disruption and for failing to engage with driver representatives.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of participants: some report >10,000 drivers, while others cite ?12,000. The daily wage figure of INR862 is consistently mentioned, but the extent to which the government has formally approved any of the other demands remains unclear. No official timetable for resolving the salary-hike issue has been provided.
What’s Next
The DMRC has pledged to keep extra trains running while the transport ministry continues talks with private concessionaires. Minister Singh’s appeal and the union’s insistence on a “peaceful” strike suggest that service disruptions will persist until the salary-hike demand is addressed.