The state government's decision to stop registering new bikes below 100cc capacity with seats for pillion riders has hit the two-wheeler market hard with sales across the state coming down by Rs 50 crore.
The figure was given by an office-bearer of State Motor Vehicles Sellers' Association. "About 30,000 bikes below 100cc capacity are sold every month. Ever since the bar on registration of the vehicles came into force, in the last 10 days, an estimated 10,000 vehicles have remained unsold, affecting business," he said.
"There are many authorised dealers with about 500 main franchises of major companies. The stock of two-wheelers in their storerooms have not moved. We have taken their views on writing and given a representation to the major companies," he said.
Stressing that there was a huge demand for below-100cc bikes, he said many who bought such vehicles during Deepavali were returning them to the showrooms. "We have no other option other than providing an alternative vehicle or returning the money. The showrooms are suffering a great deal of operational loss," he said.