Several hours ahead of the proposed indefinite strike, truck traffic towards Kerala started coming down at the Walayar check-post on the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border on Tuesday.
More than 3,000 trucks transporting products worth over Rs 500 crore on an average enter Kerala every day, but from Tuesday night the traffic will stop, says G.R. Shanmugappa, chairman, Toll Committee of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).
AIMTC, Tamil Nadu and Coimbatore, had been complaining for the last few years about the inordinate delay in clearing of trucks at the Walayar check-post. With no solution in sight, the AIMTC announced an indefinite strike from Tuesday (April 1)..
Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Shanmugappa said the Kerala government had called the AIMTC for talks on Tuesday, but holding talks at the eleventh hour, a few hours before the proposed indefinite strike, was a ploy to get the stir postponed. Instead of holding talks at the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Shanmugappa wanted the Chief Minister or the Finance Minister to visit Walayar to take stock of the ground situation.
Of the 1,253 check-posts across the country, it is only at Walayar truckers faced ordinate delay. Check-posts in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which dealt with higher traffic, had a better system to clear traffic without hassles, he said.
The AIMTC’s demands include opening up of ten counters, against the present three counters to clear trucks, installation of scanner machines, opening of a green channel for perishable goods, besides a help desk. These facilities could be provided in a few weeks. But Kerala seemed to be unwilling, Mr. Shanmugappa said.
With regard to resting facilities promised for drivers and cleaners on a 30-acre land at Walayar, Mr. Shanmugappa said they were willing to wait considering the time and funds required for setting up the facility. Bookings were stopped a week ago and the number of trucks plying within Kerala was very few and even those are expected to return to Tamil Nadu by midnight. Lorry owners were also opposed to the leasing out of the weigh bridge at the check-post to a private contractor, who charged Rs. 25 for a truck.
