Truckers’ strike: consumers to feel pinch once stock runs dry

Almost 90% of trucks operating in Mysuru stayed off the road in city

Trucks at the lorry terminal on the outskirts of Mysuru city on Friday.

Nearly 4,500 trucks were off the road in Mysuru and brought supply of goods and commodities to a standstill on Friday owing to the all-India truckers’ strike.

The strike was called by the All India Motor Transport Congress and the South India Motor Transport Welfare Association pressing for reduction in insurance, diesel price, etc. Vehicles went off the road from 6 a.m.

Kodandaram, president, Mysuru Lorry Owners’ Association, said the response was near total as almost 90% of the trucks operating in Mysuru stayed off the road in support of the strike. He said there were a few trucks that had arrived early in the day and perishable commodities had to be off-loaded. Hence, these were exempted.

Once such trucks were unloaded, the drivers drew the vehicles into the parking bay near Bandipalya, Good Shed Yard or the road sides and joined the stir.

The association said the inward movement of trucks to the city from other States were those that had already left their station of origin before the strike was confirmed. Soon however, all bookings were stopped. Hence, there would neither be inward nor outward movement within the next 48 hours.

The supply of essential and perishable commodities will not be affected till Saturday or Sunday as the existing stock in godowns will suffice to meet demand. But the full impact of the strike will manifest by Monday as fruits, vegetables, and flowers, apart from poultry products, are transported on a daily basis given their perishable nature, the association said. Likewise, the supply of petroleum and diesel, apart from cooking LPG cylinders, will also be affected if the strike continues without any resolution to the issues raised.

Mysuru receives a daily supply of around eight to 10 truckloads of groundnut and oil from Gujarat and Rajasthan which are downloaded at the APMC Yard at Bandipalyaa. Similarly, the city receives around 10 truckloads of fodder from Maharashtra, apart from cereals from Uttar Pradesh, onions from Hubballi, etc.

These commodities in turn are transported to the rural hinterland in and around Mysuru including K.R. Nagar, Chamarajanagar, K.R. Pet, Hunsur, Kollegal, etc. There is regular transportation of eggs and other poultry products to Kerala as also rice and wheat, according to Mr. Kodanaram.

“Once the supply and the existing stock runs dry, the impact will be felt by consumers,” he added.