Truckers' strike enters fifth day

Truck movement in the country was partially affected on Friday due to shortage of diesel following oil officers’ strike and also on account of the nation-wide indefinite strike called by truck operators, which entered its fifth day today.

Though the truck operators’ strike could evoke only partial response in some parts of the country, the agitation by the oil officers resulted in almost 30 per cent of the trucks getting stranded across the country.

“Nearly 30 per cent of the trucks were immobilised on the intra-state and trunk routes largely on account of the shortage of diesel. In many parts of the country, truck operators were forced to purchase kerosene at Rs 28-Rs 32 per litre against the PDS rate of Rs 10-Rs 11 as the trucks loaded with high-value cargo could not be left stranded on the highways,” said SP Singh, senior fellow at the Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT).

However, the movement of essential and perishable commodities continued normally despite the nation-wide strike and fuel crisis.

“Arrival of perishable and essential commodities like fruits and vegetables from neighbouring states including Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan continued normally even today,” said RS Kriplani, president, Chamber of Azadpur Fruits and Vegetable Traders.

However, the movement of cargo meant for exports was affected by the truck operators’ strike. A senior executive at the Kandla Port Trust said, “Nearly four export vessels are waiting at our ports for the arrival of cargo. Otherwise there is no major impact of the truck operators’ strike on the movement of commodities.”

Meanwhile, the government hardened its position further against the agitators by arresting the senior office-bearers of the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) who were spearheading the truck operators’ agitation.

The Delhi police on Friday arrested AIMTC president Charan Singh Lohara along with other senior executives and sealed their head office under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).

“We are monitoring the situation and are in touch with various other state governments. We will take all necessary steps to ensure that the truck operators’ strike does not disrupt normal life,” said a senior official at the Department of Road Transport and Highways.