The Hindu Business Line : Ministry moots further toll cut at JN port

IN a bid to resolve the impasse at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), where truckers are protesting against toll charges, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed a reduction in the charges to Rs 75 from Rs 91.

This would be applicable to those truckers who take "multiple journeys" on the 27-km road stretch between the port and the Pune expressway.

However, truckers have not yet indicated whether they are satisfied with the proposed cut. On the future course of action, Mr Gurinder Pal Singh, President, All-India Motor Transport Congress, said: "We would discuss the proposal with our members and get back within 10 days."

The transport operators are seeking withdrawal of the Rs 130 toll that they need to pay per entry or exit. This was proposed during the meeting held on Thursday between the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, senior Ministry officials and the transport unions.

Though the charge per entry or exit is Rs 130, Ministry officials explained that transporters, who are frequent users, pay a discounted rate of Rs 91 per trip. "In the backdrop of their demand, Mr Baalu has proposed that this could be further brought down to Rs 75," said a highly placed official.

The truckers — 12 unions representing the transport operators at the port — had threatened to go on an indefinite strike on the issue last week. But, after a day's strike on October 5, they deferred their decision on the strike for a month on an assurance from Mr Baalu that he would "amicably settle the problem within a month."

The agitation by the transporters has been on for sometime. Last month too, they had gone on a strike, but had subsequently withdrawn it after the port authorities brought down the toll charges by 30 per cent.

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