AP truck operators strike continues for 6th day

Vijayawada: As part of nation-wide strike and agitation, truck operators under the auspices of Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association staged a dharna at Keesara toll gate on Vijayawada-Hyderabad on Wednesday demanding that the Central government maintain uniform prices on diesel in the country, reduce the toll tax burden on truck operators and reduce the third party insurance. 

It may be recalled that the truck operators began nation-wide strike on July 20 stalling the movement of trucks demanding the Central government concede their long pending demands.

Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association general secretary YV Eswara Rao addressing the truck operators at Keesara toll gate, Kanchikacharla mandal, said the Union government is behaving in an autocratic manner and not conceding the justified demands of the truckers.

He said transport sector is in deep crisis due to fluctuations on diesel prices and increasing taxes. He said the strike continued on sixth day in response to the call given by the All India Motor Transport Congress, the biggest union of truck operators in the country.

In Vijayawada, thousands of hamali workers are losing their livelihood due to halt of transportation of goods for the last six days. Thousands of families are depending upon the loading and unloading of goods in various parts of the city particularly in One Town, wholesale market, Gollapudi, Autonagar and Hanumanpet.

Besides, wholesale business was badly affected in the city. If the truckers halt the services of petrol and diesel tankers, consumers will suffer a lot. So far, there is no interruption for supply of petrol and diesel from petroleum companies and stock points.