Auto rickshaw unions have threatened to go on strike on May 19 after the transport department stopped issuing fitness certificates to autos without GPS.

While transport department officials claim the strict approach has led to autos finally getting a GPS device installed, auto unions say GPS cannot be installed in old vehicles as they are headed for scrap. Rajender Soni, an autorickshaw union leader, said, "Drivers are being harassed, especially those who drive old autos". He added that auto unions are planning to go on strike on May 19.

The move was prompted after the Delhi government issued orders on April 30, making GPS meters mandatory in auto-rickshaws for issuance of a fitness certificate. A fitness certificate is required by commercial vehicles like auto rickshaws and taxis to ply in Delhi. This move will mean all 55,000 autos in Delhi will now have to get GPS meters.

“Many autos which have been not been issued such a certificate have stopped plying, fearing that they will be challaned,” Kishan Verma, president of All Delhi Auto Taxi Transporters Congress Union, said.