Pune Airport Chaos: One-Day Cab Strike Leaves Flyers Stranded and Fares Soaring
Pune, October 9, 2025: A one-day strike by cab drivers in Pune caused major disruption on Thursday, leaving passengers stranded at Pune Airport and across the city. The protest, called by the Indian Gig Workers Front, led to a severe shortage of taxis and a steep rise in fares.
Travel Chaos at Pune Airport
Many arriving passengers waited for over an hour as protesters blocked app-based cabs from entering the airport premises. Some travellers had to walk long distances with their luggage before finding a cab or an auto, often at inflated rates.
Airport officials confirmed that protests began early in the morning and were briefly dispersed by police, but agitators regrouped near Weikfield Chowk, stopping willing drivers from operating. PMPML officials said they had no prior information about the strike and could not arrange additional buses. The airport authorities have now decided to coordinate with PMPML to ensure smoother transport during such disruptions.
On October 9, 2025, a one-day protest created ripples across Pune, leading to a severe shortage of cabs at Pune Airport.#PuneProtest #PuneBandh #TransportStrike #PuneAirport #VehicleShortage #TransportMafia #PuneNews #October9Protest #BandhEffect #PuneUpdates #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/dn61kBe7Lg
— DCN Pune (@PuneDcn) October 9, 2025
Why the Strike Was Called
Drivers associated with Ola, Uber, and Rapido went on strike demanding the immediate rollout of the long-pending state cab aggregator policy, which aims to standardise fares and improve working conditions. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the draft policy would be released soon for public feedback.
Fares Soar Across Pune
Commuters reported that short trips from Pune Airport to nearby areas cost ₹600–₹700, while longer routes like NIBM Road to Hinjawadi exceeded ₹1,500. Auto drivers were also accused of overcharging, worsening the situation for daily commuters.
The strike ended by night but exposed serious gaps in coordination between cab aggregators, authorities, and public transport systems. It also reignited the debate on fair regulation for gig workers in Maharashtra.
