MUMBAI: Trucks, tempos and trailers in Maharashtra will go on an indefinite strike from August 18 midnight to protest against the high toll rates on highways and at checkposts.
If the transporters go on strike, it will affect the supply of essential commodities such as fruits and vegetables to Mumbai. The strike will also cripple the import-export activities at the ports in the city.
All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) president G R Shanmugappa, who held a meeting in Tamil Nadu on Friday, told TOI over the phone, "Transporters in the southern states and in Maharashtra have decided to go on indefinite strike to protest against the exorbitant toll charges."
He said the Centre had recently assured them that it would lower the rates, but this did not happen. "We asked the government to lower the toll rates for multi-axle vehicles, empty trucks and tempos and give concessions to the transport industry. But our pleas fell on deaf ears. This time, we will protest aggressively,'' he said.
Bombay Goods' Transport Association (BGTA) president Girish Agarwal said, "This is the second national-level meeting of transporters. We have several problems, but the toll issue is a major one."
Former BGTA president Bal Malkit Singh said, "We are made to pay hefty third party insurance. This should be rolled back. Also, diesel prices are high in Mumbai and some other places. There should be uniformity in prices of fuel across the country. The government should give tax concessions to transporters.''
Sources said the AIMTC leaders will go to Delhi and submit a memorandum to the Centre in the next few days.
"If there is any inconvenience to citizens, the government should be held responsible,'' Shanmugappa added.
Somit Sen, TNN Jul 30, 2011, Times of India