Nationwide “All India Breakdown”: Ola, Uber, And Rapido Drivers Strike Over 2025 Aggregator Norms

NEW DELHI — Urban mobility across India’s major metros—including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad—faced significant disruption on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Drivers of app-based platforms like Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Porter initiated a one-day strike, termed the “All India Breakdown,” to protest against what they describe as “unilateral and exploitative” policies.

The strike, led by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), marks the third major protest by gig workers in as many months, following shutdowns in late 2025.

1. The Core Dispute: The 2025 Aggregator Guidelines

The primary catalyst for this strike is the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. While the policy was intended to provide a regulatory framework, unions argue it has opened the door for further exploitation.

• Private Vehicles for Commercial Use: The 2025 law allows non-commercial (white-plate) vehicles to operate for ride-hailing apps. Protesting drivers, who pay high commercial taxes and permit fees, argue this creates “unfair competition” and floods the market with “illegal” bike taxis.
• The Fare Vacuum: Despite the guidelines mandating fare transparency, neither the Central nor State governments have notified a minimum base fare. This allows companies to set prices arbitrarily, often below the operational cost of fuel and maintenance.

2. Key Demands of the Unions

Shaik Salauddin, President of TGPWU, has addressed a formal letter to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari outlining two non-negotiable demands:

1. Notify Minimum Base Fares: Mandate a floor price for every kilometer to protect drivers from predatory pricing and “dead mileage.”
2. Withdraw Private Vehicle Commercialization: End the practice of allowing private bikes and cars to act as commercial taxis without commercial registration and insurance.
3. Panic Button Costs: Drivers in Maharashtra and Delhi allege they are being forced to spend ₹12,000 to replace existing panic buttons with “authorized” models, despite previous approvals.

3. Government & Political Reaction

• Maharashtra: Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik warned aggregators of “strict action” if they continue to treat drivers unfairly. He noted that the state has already filed 36 complaints against operators for rule violations, including the use of petrol-powered bikes instead of mandatory e-bikes.
• Opposition: A delegation of drivers met with Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. The Leader of Opposition expressed support for a “statutory law” to provide social security to gig workers, rather than just temporary schemes.

4. Impact on Commuters (Feb 7, 2026)