Bengaluru: Yet again, Karnataka witnessed a bandh on Thursday, Oct 1, as part of the nationwide transport strike. However, this time it was limited to truck owners.
According to reports, over 93 lakh trucks in the country will remain off the roads from 6 am onwards, demanding the removal of toll barriers from national highways for seamless movement.
Transporters body All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) on Wednesday, said that they are not ready to accept the e-tolling proposal of the government and remain adamant to proceed on chakka jam (indefinite nationwide strike) beginning October 1.
AIMTC has demanded the removal of 373 toll plazas on highways across the country. They have also demanded immediate stop on Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) from the transport sector.
AIMTC said it is not against toll, but the toll collection system, and has demanded barrier-free movement of vehicles as well as one-time collection of taxes.
However, the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners Association and Agents Association, and its parent organization in Delhi have decided not to participate in the nationwide agitation. On the other hand, Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) said AIMTC’s suggestion to have fixed annual toll was not rational.
Meanwhile, All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA) said it strongly supported the cause of the AIMTC and urged the government to expeditiously resolve the issue. AITWA said it was against any move like ‘Chakka Jam’ but this is the last resort and the government should resolve it.
