Kolkata: The famous yellow taxis of Kolkata will go off road from 11am to 4pm local time due to the ongoing heatwave in the state.

According to taxi unions, drivers are free to refuse passengers and simply take their vehicles off the road during afternoons to escape the scorching sun.

“They [drivers] are free to decide if they want to ply during afternoons. It is so hot that many of them are suffering from health issues and two of our men died of heat stroke last week. Since there is no taxi stand or a place where taxi drivers can sit, drink some water or rest for a while, we have agreed to their demand,” said Bimal Guha, chief of the Bengal Taxi Union.

Unions have requested Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ask Kolkata police not to levy fines on taxis for refusing to work during those five hours.

They also want the passengers to pay 15 per cent extra at night to make up for the taxi drivers’ losses during the day.

“It is unbearably hot and humid during the day and, since our vehicles are not air-conditioned, it is getting unbearable,” cabbie Manoj Das said.

The prevailing heatwave has already claimed 14 lives in the state and meteorological department is not predicting any respite for at least a week more.

“The present condition of discomfort will continue for at least a week more as no sign of rain bearing clouds is on the radar,” said G.C. Debnath, director Regional Meteorological Centre.

However, passengers are not amused with the decision of the cabbies as most felt that not only is it a financial burden, as they will be asked to pay more, but they will not get cabs when they require them the most.

“It unfair on passengers, as they [taxis] decide when to ply. If we need to visit doctors or go somewhere urgently we will not get cabs,” said Dhiman Gupta, a commuter.

However, app-based taxi services say their air-conditioned vehicles are in high demand.

“Demand has surged in the last week as people are willing to pay a little extra for the convenience we offer, like on-time service and home pick-up. Also the new price wars between companies have made our services cheaper than that of the regular ones,” an official of Ola cabs said.