File picture of Kolkata's iconic yellow taxis at a stand
In a huge relief for people in the city, the taxi unions have called off their 'indefinite' strike keeping in mind the approaching festive season.
A CITU leader and former minister said taxis would be back on roads from today though their demands were yet to be met.
"We can understand the problems faced by people due to the strike...So keeping in mind the festive season we have decided to call off our indefinite strike," Anadi Sahoo, CITU leader and former minister, told PTI yesterday.
Taxis remained off roads for the fifth consecutive day yesterday. The unions are demanding for a fare hike and dropping of legal proceedings against 450 taxis and withdrawal of Rs 3,000 penalty for passenger refusal.
Mr Sahoo said that they would decide their next step after the festival of Eid.
A group of trade union leaders including Mr Sahoo yesterday met West Bengal governor K N Tripathi in this connection who promised to intervene in the matter.
"We have submitted a deputation to the Governor and he has promised us to talk to the state government regarding the matter," Mr Sahoo said.
Several trade unions including CITU, INTUC have been calling flash strikes since August, while last Friday several transport unions went for a 'total' statewide strike in support of the cabbies' demand.