DTC drivers strike over wage hike, more demands enter fifth day

Electric buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) are parked at the depot during the ongoing strike by the corporation’s drivers over increase in daily wages, medical facilities and overtime compensation. File | Photo credit: PTI

Most Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses remained off the roads on Saturday (September 19, 2026) as the drivers’ strike over increase in daily wages, medical facilities and overtime payment entered the fifth day.

Despite assurances from the Delhi government, drivers continued to protest, causing inconvenience to daily commuters.

The DTC had earlier ordered that its permanent drivers be deployed to fill the manpower gap for the time being. However, as a large number of electric buses are operated by private companies, the impact of this move was limited and many buses remained off the roads.

Some drivers claimed that the protesters were “forced” to work through threats from the administration. They also claimed that a bus window was broken at Bawana depot.

Lalit Chaudhary, president of DTC Karamchari Ekta Union, said the deployment of permanent drivers would have little impact as the number of striking drivers was much higher. “Some buses are on the roads but most of us are on strike,” he said. Mr Chaudhary claimed that the window was broken so the strikers could be blamed for causing the ruckus.

The drivers and conductors said they were paid ₹862 per day, of which ₹60 went to the pension fund.

The drivers said the strike continued because the private companies did not give them guarantees of salary increases.

Drivers at several bus depots including Nand Nagri, Rani Khera, Rajghat, Nehru Place, Burari, Wazirpur, Ghumanhera and Sarita Vihar were on strike.

Published – 19 Sep 2026 16:50 IST