New Delhi: The ongoing strike by drivers employed by private operators running Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses entered its fifth day Friday, disrupting services across the city and pushing more commuters towards Delhi Metro , which recorded its highest-ever single-day passenger boardings Thursday.
Union leaders claimed that nearly 4,000 of Delhi’s approximately 6,300 buses remained off the roads. Drivers are demanding an increase in the minimum daily wage from Rs 862 to Rs 2,000, along with social security benefits, medical facilities, annual bonus, leave benefits, insurance cover and equal pay for equal work. Earlier reporting noted: Delhi Metro records highest-ever footfall of 82.4 lakh amid DTC bus strike The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday said around 82,44,903 passengers travelled on its network on September 17, recording its highest-ever single-day passenger footfall. Earlier reporting noted: In a post on X, the DMRC said, “DMRC Records Highest-Ever Passenger Boardings of 82,44,903 on 17th September 2026 #DelhiMetro.
Students, particularly those travelling to Delhi University colleges, said the strike had added to their difficulties amid the ongoing DUSU election period. “We rely on DTC to go to campus but could not due to the strike,” said Naresh Sangwan, a resident of Punjabi Bagh. Union general secretary Manoj Sharma said the strike would continue until an official order addressing their demands was issued. Transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said DTC employees themselves were not on strike and that the agitation involved drivers employed by concessionaires operating DTC buses. He said the govt would explore ways to improve drivers’ pay. “To meet the increased travel demand, DMRC operated 32 additional trips Thursday,” a DMRC official said. Santosh Chalke, DIG, CISF Unit, DMRC, said the record reflected the coordinated efforts of CISF and DMRC in ensuring security and smooth passenger movement across the network. Earlier reporting noted: Celebrating the record footfall, DIG of the CISF Unit at DMRC Santosh Chalke said the milestone reflected the joint efforts of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the DMRC to maintain security and facilitate the smooth movement of passengers across the National Capital Region, according to an ANI report.