Rentals on the rise: Trucks waiting for return cargo loading in front of cargo booking agencies, at Kalamassery near Kochi in Kerala. Truck rentals, especially on trunk routes, have moved up by 3-3.5 per cent owing to a 15-20 per cent increase in despatches of trucks in March. Increase in vehicle prices, auto finance charges, tyre prices and costlier diesel have contributed to boost truck rentals .The Jat agitation in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan had shifted the focus of cargo offerings from manufacturing sector, import-export trade and movement of food items/ industrial commodities towards truck transport from rail freight, according to an Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training report. — K.K. Mustafah