Shashank Rao said that nearly 90,000 autos were off the roads today.
Thousands of autorickshaws went off the roads in Mumbai suburbs today to protest the operations of private taxi aggregators and the rise in permit fees.
In order to minimise inconvenience to passengers, State Transport Commissioner Shyam Wardhane has issued directives allowing private cars, buses and other vehicles to operate as "public transport" today.
"This is being done for the convenience of commuters, specially office-goers, in view of the strike," an official said.
Shashank Rao, Leader of Mumbai Autorickshaw men Union which has called the strike, said, "We are opposing the operations of private cab aggregators (like Ola, Uber) and also the increase in the permit fee to Rs 15,200. If there is any inconvenience to commuters, the state government will be responsible."
He said that nearly 90,000 autos were off the roads today.
The strike has inconvenienced scores of commuters as many office-goers depend on autos on the share routes to ply to the railway station daily.
The police is on alert to ensure there is no law and order problem.