Essential supplies to be hit from today, warn truckers

The cash-driven transport sector is one of many bearing the brunt of the current currency crisis, with truckers saying supplies of fruit, vegetables and grain will get hit from Monday if the situation does not improve. For, they say, there is scarcity of cash with the drivers, vendors, labourers and also the authorities.

There are tens of millions directly and indirectly are associated with the sector. Business of about Rs 1,000 crore would be affected, a transporter said.

The Union ministry of road transport and highways had, in the wake of the government’s demonetisation announcement, waived toll payment at all highways. Even so, the All India Motor Transport Congress, an apex body for transporters, has said the limit of Rs 10,000 withdrawal a day and a maximum of Rs 20,000 a week is minuscule and is paralysing their members’ business. As much as 80 per cent of transport costs (fuel, toll payments, drivers’ board and lodging, repairs, payments to loaders) are cash-based, it says.

In the area around Delhi, it is a twin blow, as an estimated 200,000 diesel-powered vehicles went off the roads from Sunday, on a National Green Tribunal order barring vehicles 15 years old or more from plying on or entering this city. The city government has begun the process of de-registering these vehicles.