With the second round of negotiations between the government and sand lorry owners on sand transport permits still deadlocked, the transporters decided to continue their weeklong strike.
Members of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents’ Association had a meeting with Home Minister K.J. George, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, and officials of the Mines and Geology and Police departments.
Speaking to The Hindu , G.R. Shanmugappa of the federation said the government had provided permits for only 1,200 sand loads a day, while the requirement was far more — 13,000 loads of sand a day, with Bangalore itself requiring 3,000 loads.
He urged the government to evolve a policy to ensure legal transportation of sand to the State.
Sand lorry owners have decided to give the government a week to meet their demands. “It has been close to a week since the strike began. If this continues, then construction activity across the State is likely to halt completely…We will stop transporting jelly, steel and other construction items,” Mr. Shanmugappa said. The government had sought time till Monday, he added.