Truckers’ strike: Not much disruptions on Day 1

The first day of truckers' indefinite strike saw protests in several parts of the state while lorries and goods carrying vehicles, which have come from the northern parts of the country, entered the city without any disruption.

In Bengaluru, led by G R Shanmugappa, general secretary of the South India Motor Transporters' Association, hundreds of lorry owners and goods operators staged a protest in front of the Town Hall. The call for indefinite strike from Friday was given by the All India Motor Congress.

"The government has ignored our demand to reduce the diesel price and cost of third party premium. The toll collection has continued to be unscientific, damaging the financial condition of the goods carriers. The strike will continue till the government listens to us," they said.

Protests were held in Hubballi, Vijayapura, Badami, Kalaburagi and Hiriyuru, among several other places. In places like Mysuru and Davangere, there were mixed reactions. Some truckers attributed this to the division within the association.

Fuel supply to be unaffected

Ravindranath B R of Karnataka Federation of Petroleum Dealers' Association said that the fuel supplying trucks will continue to operate as usual and sought to assure that there would be no disruption in the supply of petrol and diesel."We are not taking part in the strike," he said.

In several cities a few taxi and other commercial vehicle operators threw their weight behind the truckers in solidarity. Besides fuel prices, the high cost of third party insurance and toll collections have brought together various players in the transport sector.

The protesters said the impact of the strike will be felt in two or three days. "We hope that the government will intervene by that time. Without operating vehicles, we will suffer losses," said Shankarappa, one of the protesting members.