Restaurants take a hit as autorickshaw strike continues

While the big clubs and swanky restaurants do not have much to complain,restaurants like Hotel Vaishali,located on the bustling Fergusson College Road are not happy. Sadhu Shetty,manager,Hotel Vaishali,says,“Our primary clientele are college students and the working middle class families. As both these segments heavily depend on autorickshaws,the current strike has definitely hit us especially as this was a long weekend (Friday was May Day) the hit has been a little more.”

“About five to 10 per cent of our business has been affected. Another reason as to why people opt for autorickshaws is because if they get their own vehicles,getting space for parking is difficult,” Shetty said.

Echoing similar sentiments,Mahabal Pujari of Shiv Sagar restaurant in Aundh says,“The fact that this was a long weekend had a stronger impact our business. Also,as most people staying in the vicinity commute by the auto-rickshaws,the strike left them no option. Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons,which usually see heavy turnouts here,were visibly empty. Close to 10-15 per cent of our business has been hit by the strike.”

Rahul Mali,working with the Mayur Restaurant in Chinchwad says,“It is too early to say that the business has been hit. But yes,if the strike continues for a longer duration,we will have to face at a downfall. But,as of now,we have not had any noticeable fall in sales over this weekend even though the auto rickshaws were on a strike.”