Karnataka lorry strike to continue after talks with CM Siddaramaiah fail

Govt promises to address 4 of 6 demands as stir impacts non-essential businesses

Bengaluru: Karnataka lorry owners have vowed to continue their strike after a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday failed to resolve two of their key demands.

The strike, which began on Monday midnight, has already begun to impact some non-essential businesses. However, essential commodities, such as milk, vegetables and medicines, are already exempted.

On Tuesday evening, Siddaramaiah, along with Home Minister G Parameshwara, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and others, held talks with representatives of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners' and Agents' Association (FOKSLOAA).

FOKSLOAA, the apex body of truckers, transporters, tourist taxis and maxi cab operators in the state, has raised six demands.

These include: roll back the recent fuel price increase, abolish 18 state toll plazas, remove border check posts, reconsider the proposed hike in old vehicle fitness renewal fees by up to Rs 15,000, extend entry hours for commercial vehicles into Bengaluru, and cease harassment by NBFCs and microfinance providers.

A statement issued by the chief minister's office appealed to the association to call off the strike in public interest, saying the government is aware of the demands.

On the Rs 2 increase in VAT on petrol and diesel, the government claimed that the prices are still lower in Karnataka than in neighbouring states.

Siddaramaiah also promised to review other demands, including lifting the restriction on lorries entering Bengaluru during peak hours.

Addressing a press conference before this meeting, Reddy stated that the government was ready to take steps to address four of the six demands.

He clarified that the proposed hike in fitness certificate fees for old vehicles had not been finalised and promised to hold consultations with lorry owners and other stakeholders in this regard.

He assured that lorry drivers would be attended to in the RTOs before 8 am so that they do not face penalties for plying within city limits during the restricted hours. He added that they could submit all necessary documents online and that related procedures would be streamlined within two months.

Reddy further promised to hold talks with the police commissioner on allowing the entry of commercial vehicles into Bengaluru during peak hours and said a government team would visit states that have abolished border checks. A decision on adopting a similar measure in Karnataka will be taken within three months, he said.

He also noted that deputy commissioners had been empowered under the Karnataka Micro Loan and Small Loan (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Bill, 2025, to curb harassment by lenders.

However, FOKSLOAA president G R Shanmugappa was not convinced.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting with the chief minister, he said the strike would continue "even if it takes a month, even if we go to jail, even if we lose our lives".

According to Shanmugappa, the chief minister refused to review the diesel price hike but promised to reconsider toll collection at 18 PWD plazas in the state.

Shanmugappa assured that essential vehicles would continue to ply but said LPG and petroleum tankers would be impacted.