JOIN USTrucks were off the roads in many parts of the country, including the national capital, on Monday, the first day of the two-day strike.
The strike was called by transport associations which want the government to address several issues, including bringing diesel under Goods and Services Tax.
“Our two-day ‘chakka jam’ (strike) which began this morning has hit supplies across the country, though we have exempted essential goods. We estimate huge losses to the road transport sector on day one,” said Bal Malkit Singh, chairman of the core committee of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).
“The two-day token strike called by AIMTC and supported by all its constituent members was successful on day one with about 70 to 80% of business shut across the country. We expect similar momentum on day two,” Singh added.
Singh said if the government fails to address their grievances, Transporters, post-Diwali they would chalk out strategies to intensify their agitation. He said 12 crore people are associated with the transport sector.
However, the Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) termed the strike a “damp squib”.
IFTRT coordinator S P Singh said deliveries were normal in the national capital region and other cities.
“Industrial belts across the country, too, were largely unaffected as trucks lined up for bringing in raw materials and dispatches of finished products,” he said.