Auto-rickshaw drivers upset over ban on operations at Ranchi Airport; decide to meet Airport Director
📍 Ranchi | M Bharat 24 News Live
Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners who have been operating at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport for years held a crucial meeting at the airport grounds on Tuesday, alleging a growing threat to their livelihoods. The meeting was presided over by Dinesh Soni, State President of the Auto Driver-Owner Federation.
Drivers present at the meeting stated that they have been providing safe and seamless transport services to passengers at Birsa Munda Airport for nearly 30 years. They maintained that, to date, no passenger has faced any inconvenience caused by the auto drivers. Despite this, security personnel have recently been preventing approximately 40 to 50 auto drivers—who operate from the airport parking area—from entering the parking zone.
The drivers alleged that, conversely, private vehicles (with white number plates) are being permitted to park and pick up passengers, while auto drivers who have served the airport for years are being excluded. This has created a severe livelihood crisis for dozens of drivers' families. The drivers stated that if they are not granted permission to operate from the airport parking area, it will adversely affect their ability to support their families, fund their children's education, and cover other essential expenses.
It was unanimously decided during the meeting that a delegation from the Federation would meet the relevant airport authorities and the Airport Director at 10:00 AM on July 29, 2026. During this meeting, they intend to submit a written representation to apprise the authorities of the drivers' grievances and demand a resolution.
A large number of auto drivers and owners attended the meeting, including the Federation's State Treasurer Bhola Singh, Advisor Amar Munda, and Mahesh Singh. The drivers involved included Lokmani Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Pulas Kumar, Shankar Rai, Naval Yadav, Ajay Kumar, Vijay Kumar Yadav, Kishore Kumar, Dhani Lal Yadav, Manoj, Suresh Rai, Racho Rai, Sanjay Kumar, Manje, Pappu, Guddu Kumar, Awadhesh Rai, Indrajit Rai, Rahul Rajak, Prabhunath Singh, Pappu Rai, Dharmveer Pandey, and Manish Singh, among others.
Bhola Singh, the State Treasurer of the Federation, provided details about the meeting.
