Bhubaneswar, April 21: Autorickshaw owners today demonstrated under the banner of Rajdhani Auto Drivers' Association at Master Canteen Square demanding a revised fare structure.

The association has also decided to go on a strike on May 5 in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri to press for their demand. There are nearly 40,000 three-wheelers operating in the three cities with 20,000 of them in Bhubaneswar.

The protesters alleged that big players such as Uber, Ola and Jugnoo that have entered the market had already eaten into their business.

While Jugnoo has a fleet of 200 autorickshaws, Uber and Ola are operating with 100 each in Bhubaneswar and are exploring the possibility of entering the market in a big way.

President of the association Sura Jena said the big operators had deliberately slashed their fares to give a tough time to the local drivers. "It's a question of livelihood. The private players are trying to take control of the service in the city. A number of unemployed youths have been driving the three-wheelers here and such competition will put them at a disadvantage. The state government must prepare a fare structure that will benefit all," he said.

General secretary of Bhubaneswar Autorickshaw Mahasangha Padman Kumar Samal, too, echoed similar apprehensions and said the business tactics of the big players had already hit the business.

"The government fare of prepaid autorickshaws for covering a distance of 6km is Rs 90, but the private operators are charging half the price. They are deliberately incurring the loss so that the local owners are thrown out of the market," he said.

Samal said several autorickshaw associations in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri would go on a strike on May 5 demanding a universal fare structure for all. He said: "We are not against online hiring of autorickshaws as it is a passenger friendly service, but there should a uniform fare for all."

The autorickshaw associations also demanded the transport department to come up with a universal mobile-based app, which would include the private players and other autorickshaws as well.

The tussle between private cab aggregators and other autorickshaw drivers has led to unpleasant incidents with both sides accusing each other of indulging in violence.

"Introduction of city bus service had already taken a toll on our business and now the entry of private players has added to our woes. Most of us have either taken loan to purchase a vehicle or are taking autorickshaws on rent. I used to make Rs 500 a day, but with the entry of private operators it has become difficult to earn even Rs 300 a day," said Saroj Samal, an autorickshaw driver in the city.

On the other hand, passengers said a healthy competition between private players and other auto-rickshaws would improve the service.

"In most cases, we have to argue with autorickshaws over fare, but with the entry of the private players we can now hire a vehicle through the app," said Anita Das, a college student.

Transport officials, however, said that they had no role to play in the issue. "As this is a service sector, we do not have any role to play," said the regional transport officer, Bhubaneswar II, S.K. Behera.