Over 400 auto drivers took part in a protest in Coimbatore's Ukkadam area stressing the state government to ban bike taxi service in Tamil Nadu, stating that their livelihood is being affected due to the aforementioned service. The protest is organized by Coimbatore District Joint Committee of Auto Drivers Associations. A similar protest took place at Lakshmi Mills junction last week, and near Power House on Monday. 

Tamil Nadu Transport Minister Sivasankar said that the State awaits for clearer guidelines from the Union Government and the courts. Since the State can only take a call on banning the bike taxi services after Centre and Court provide instructions, there will no ban on bike taxis in Tamil Nadu.

During the protest on Tuesday, auto drivers raised slogans against State Government and Transport Minister for not supporting them in this regard. They demanded the government to ban bike taxi services so that the livelihood of auto drivers could be ensured.

Karpagavalli, a woman auto-driver who joined the protest at Ukkadam said that auto-drivers have to follow various regulations. "We spend money for paint job, uniform, badge, maintenance of the autos, annual FC for the vehicle, etc. Our livelihood is entirely dependent on operation of this vehicle," she added.

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