Air travellers and techies were the worst hit by the cab operators strike. The operators are demanding the withdrawal of value added tax imposed by the A.P.state government. Several IT and BPO companies declared holiday on Friday. Techies have a five-day week. “We have no other option but to declare holiday on Friday. Only 700 employees out of 1,600 reported to duty on Thursday,” said the facilities manager of Google India Private Limited, Mr Manjunath Bhatt.
Some of the IT companies asked their employees to check into nearby hotels so that they could reach office without much difficulty. Hyderabad Software Exporters Association felt that the companies would face many problems if the strike is not called off in a day or two.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed at Shamshabad area when a few cab operators deflated tyres of some vehicles. The police immediately rushed to the spot and dispersed the mob.
However, the GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited claimed that there was little impact on the passengers as it had made alternate arrangements. “Meru and Easy Cabs operated vehicles without much interruption. Apart from this, as many as 4,500 passengers travelled by Aero Express buses, which operated from five parts of the city,” said the chief commercial officer of GHIAL, Mr A.Viswanath.