Gurugram cab strike today: Why are drivers protesting and what are their demands?

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A group of app-based cab drivers in Gurugram have called for a strike today, demanding mandatory KYC verification for passengers. The protest began a day earlier, with drivers gathering outside Sector 46 to share their problems and call for action, Hindustan Times reported.

According to the drivers, the main reason for the strike is the rising number of safety risks caused by fake or unverified passengers. They claim that some customers misuse the service, behave badly, or even attack drivers during trips, HT reported, quoting cab drivers.

To address this, they are demanding that cab companies make KYC (Know Your Customer) verification mandatory for all users.

One driver, Preet Kumar, was quoted by HT saying that drivers must complete strict KYC checks before joining platforms, but passengers are not required to do the same.

He questioned why drivers’ safety is not given equal importance and said they also need protection from unidentified riders.

Another major concern raised by the drivers is the lack of a proper grievance system. They said that when customers misbehave or threaten them, there is no clear way to report such incidents or get help, the report said.

Drivers also questioned the effectiveness of safety features like SOS buttons in cabs. They said these tools often fail to provide quick assistance during emergencies, leaving them feeling unsafe.

The protest follows a tragic incident in January when a 25-year-old driver, Suraj Singh, was killed by passengers during a ride.

The strike, which was also in place on Saturday, has caused travel delays in parts of the city. Residents reported longer waiting times for cabs, with some journeys taking much longer to arrange than usual.