Six lakh lorries to stay off roads as Karnataka transporters go ahead with indefinite strike

Bengaluru: Over six lakh transport vehicles are expected to go off the roads from Monday midnight as part of an indefinite strike called in to protest the state government's "anti-transport trade policies".

However, vehicles carrying essential commodities such as milk, vegetables and fruits, along with other essential services vehicles, will not take part in the strike.

The strike has been called by the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners' and Agents' Association (FOKSLOAA), which claims to be the apex body of truckers, transporters, tourist taxis and maxi cab operators in the state. According to the federation, 31 district and 236 taluk-level and local transport associations in Karnataka are affiliated with it.

The FOKSLOAA said the strike had received support from various allied sectors, including petrol pump owners, the LPG Bulk Operators' Association, airport taxi associations, driver associations and district- and taluk-level transport associations.

However, the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners' Association has distanced itself from the protest, stating that it will not support the strike.

The FOKSLOAA has raised a total of six demands:

roll back the recent hike in fuel prices (petrol has become expensive by Rs 3 per litre and diesel by Rs 3.02 after Karnataka increased the sales tax);

abolish 18 state toll plazas, which have become the "centres of extortion and harassment";

eliminate check posts as they are "redundant" in the post-GST era;

rReconsiderthe proposed hike in old vehicle fitness renewal fees by up to Rs 15,000;

Extend entry hours for commercial vehicles into Bengaluru city; and

Stop alleged harassment by NBFCs and microfinance providers.

FOKSLOAA president G R Shanmugappa warned that if unresolved, the situation will likely cause severe disruption to the movement of goods and passengers across Karnataka.

He urged the government to take immediate steps to avert this crisis by engaging constructively with stakeholders and working towards an amicable resolution of the pressing issues.

Speaking to DH, Shanmugappa stated that all vehicles transporting materials such as steel, cement, stones, jelly, soil, etc, would cease operations and so would interstate trucks. Vehicles bringing garlic and onion from other states into Bengaluru will also stop operating, he added.

As part of the strike, FOKSLOAA members plan to stage protests at Attibele and other border check posts in the state at 11 am on Tuesday, he added.

Shanmugappa claimed that no government official had reached out to them and promised that talks could be held if the authorities approached them.