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‘Hum aapke saath hai’: Hyderabad cab drivers to offer free rides on New Year’s Eve

As many as 500 cabs and 250 bike taxis will join the initiative aimed at discouraging drunk driving on New Year’s Eve, according to drivers’ unions.

This New Year’s Eve, cab drivers in Hyderabad have decided to unequivocally say “Hum Aapke Saath Hain” in an attempt to discourage partygoers from driving under the influence of alcohol. The Hyderabad police have asked all establishments to disallow drunk driving and urge customers to engage hired drivers to drop them back home safely.

Shaik Salauddin, president of the Telangana Four-Wheeler Drivers’ Association and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, said on Monday that the union has over the last eight years saved countless lives from the perils of road accidents caused by drunk driving. “With New Year celebrations fast approaching, the menace of drunken driving poses a grave threat to public safety. The Telangana Four-Wheeler Drivers’ Association and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union are stepping up to make our roads safer with the #HumAapkeSaathHai campaign,” he said, adding that the initiative aims to eliminate the risks associated with drunk driving on New Year’s Eve.

Salauddin said that 500 cabs and 250 bike taxis would provide free transportation across the police commissionerates of Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda on the night of December 31. This free service will be available for three hours, from 10 pm to 1 am.

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“Through this campaign, we issue a firm call to action: don’t risk lives by driving under the influence of alcohol. Choose safe and responsible transportation options,” he said. He added that this year the union has strengthened its collaboration with local administration, bars, and restaurants to create a robust network that promotes safe celebrations. “Call 9177624678 for a safe ride home,” Salauddin added.

“With affordable and easily accessible free transportation options, there is no excuse for drunk driving. Together, let’s make this New Year’s Eve memorable for the right reasons. We appeal to the people of Hyderabad to join us in this mission of safety,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Metro Rail has decided to extend its working hours for New Year celebrations. HMRL Managing Director N V S Reddy said the last train will leave from all terminal stations at 12.30 am and reach their destinations by about 1.15 am on January 1, 2025.

“To facilitate the New Year celebrations and to ensure safe travel for commuters, Hyderabad Metro Rail will operate extended hours on New Year’s Eve night,” Reddy said in a statement, adding that this initiative underscored HMRL’s commitment to enhancing passenger convenience during special occasions.

Rahul V Pisharody

Rahul V Pisharody is Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting for IE on various news developments from Telangana since 2019. He is currently reporting on legal matters from the Telangana High Court. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of city reporters, district correspondents, other centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. ... Read More

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