Truckers' strike enters 2nd day

Nationwide truckers' strike enters the second day with the goods vehicles umbrella body ACOGOA today claiming that the ongoing strike has a wide impact in the northeast as it is the only gateway from West Bengal.

The truckers under All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners Association (ACOGOA) had yesterday proceeded on an indefinite nationwide strike, protesting hike in diesel prices, increase in toll charges and increasing third party insurance premium.

However, another transporters apex body AIMTC, which had called for a nationwide strike from July 20 on the similar issues alleged that the strike was orchestrated by a small section and had no impact.

"Northeast has completely gone on a standstill as it is the only gateway from West Bengal. About 30,000 vehicles moving in and out from northeast are therefore stopped ... Taking off from yesterday, West Bengal continues under complete chakka jam all over the state," ACOGOA General Secretary R S Bhasin told PTI.

Bhasin claimed that in Maharashtra, the markets have reported prices of vegetables like Onion have shot up.

Even Delhi today has reported stoppage of about 4,000 vehicles at Sanjay Gandhi Transport Terminal, he said, adding that in Karnataka also, the situation continues to be encouraging with vehicle movement continuing to be stopped all over.

ACOGOA in a statement said that about 50 lakh vehicles were not running, which translated into losses to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore to the lorry owners.

Both the bodies, All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners Association (ACOGOA) and All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), claim membership of over 80 lakh truckers each.