It is proving to be a manic Monday in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) as Uber and Ola drivers continue their strike against the cab aggregators.

It has been nearly impossible to hail an Uber or Ola cab in the capital since early on Monday. The wait time showing on the apps is typically 20-25 minutes, and fares are nearly double the normal fares owing to the scarcity. Most attempts at booking a cab result in a ‘No cabs available’ message. If a passenger happens to bag a ride by some stroke of luck, almost inevitably, the driver cancels the trip.

Ola and Uber drivers started the strike on Friday demanding better perks and accident insurance among other things from the cab aggregators. They also want the companies to stop adding new cars to their fleets, stop ride-sharing services, and hike the minimum rate from the current Rs 6 per kilometre. Recently, Bengaluru and Hyderabad also saw similar strikes.

The strike was partially called off on Sunday after five unions agreed to run taxis following assurance by the state government that most of their demands will be fulfilled. However, Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi, which claims to represent nearly 1.5 lakh drivers working with either Ola or Uber, continues to strike.

An Uber partner (that’s what the ride-sharing app company calls its drivers) who spoke on conditions of anonymity said, “Drivers who are not part of the strike are being intercepted by striking union members and being forced to go off the roads, leading to the scarcity in supply of cabs.”

Both Uber and Ola did refused to comment on the strike.

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