Truckers threaten to stop fuel supply from July 20

Indefinite lorry strike hits Namma Metro work

The indefinite strike called by lorry owners demanding a more realistic sand policy is beginning to cast its long shadow on the construction industry in the State, even affecting the Namma Metro projects in the City.

Lorry owners have also threatened to blockade vehicles transporting petrol and diesel beginning July 20, with an intention to cut off fuel supply completely.

G R Shanmugappa, president, Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents, said, “Sand has already been stored for the next couple of days by developers and contractors. But yes, there will be a huge supply-side problem by the end of this week.

However, this is something the government should consider. Even the Metro work will stop in two to three days.”

B L Y Chavan, spokesperson, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, admitted that the shortage of sand was being felt at sites where finishing work was being carried out. The Corporation is looking for solutions, he said.

“Wherever major works are scheduled, contractors store sand. In some places, we have enough sand for 15 days, while some other contractors have enough sand for 30 days.

But wherever finishing works are going on, there is a problem,” he said.

Sources in the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (Credai) while claiming that they will not face problems in the next couple of days, however, admitted that construction work could come to a standstill if the strike prolongs.

Shanmugappa said that about a fortnight ago, authorities had communicated to lorry owners that each load of sand being transported without a permit will attract a fine of Rs one lakh.

“For Bangalore (which needs 3,000 loads per day), sand is brought in from Malavalli in Mandya. The government issues 300 permits per day, of which we get about 200. But there is a shortage of 2,700 loads of sand each day. How is this demand being met? We are buying sand from farmers, which even the government today terms illegal and wants to impose hefty fines,” he said.

The indefinite strike called by lorry owners and agents entered its third day on Tuesday and will continue on Wednesday.

“The government is not responding to us with a right attitude. Over two lakh people (drivers, cleaners and other labourers) are being affected by the strike. It is not like we enjoy doing this, but there needs to be a solution. In the absence of this, we will stop bringing in petrol and diesel from July 20,” Shanmugappa said.

He said the government had 10 days to come out with a more viable policy, failing which the strike will extend to other lorries, including fuel carriers.