There was a mixed response to the impact of the two-day transport strike called to protest against issues related to GST, diesel pricing, and corruption at check posts.

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) called the strike a “70-80 per cent success”. However, transport sector tracking agency – Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT), a large transporter, and a firm in the intra-city movement space also said that they have not seen much impact.

Agri arrivals

IFTRT stated that trucks are running at full pace on State and National Highways with full fruit and vegetables arrivals at key markets. Auto makers, car and two-wheeler despatches were also unaffected with car carriers lined up at factory gates in Delhi-NCR , Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Sanand and Nashik.

The research body added that e-commerce booking and deliveries were normal in the North Capital Region (NCR) and other cities.

Industrial belts across the country too were largely unaffected as trucks lined up for bringing in raw materials and despatches of finished products particularly, white goods and electrical products.

The Shakur basti railway cement siding had large loads picked up by trucks for distribution to construction sites.

Industrial centres in Lawrence Road, GT Karnal Road, Maya Puri, Okhla, Nariana, Patpargunj in Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida too were operating as per their daily schedule. Truck unions and transporters were supplying trucks to factories despite strike call, said IFTRT.

A company official from the express transport segment, declining to be identified, said, “There is no impact. It has not taken off as much as was expected as everyone is interested in doing business.”

“The strike will impact movement of goods across States. We hope for a resolution at the earliest to avoid unnecessary delays in freight movement that could impact costs and business,” said Raaja Kanwar, Managing Director, Apollo LogiSolutions Ltd.

The strike was a 70-80 per cent success, according to Balmalkit Singh, Chairman, Core Committee, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC). “Many truckers who were already en route were unaware of the strike call. But the protest is catching on,” he said.

Protesting against daily price fluctuation of fuel and exorbitant diesel prices, the transporters want a drop in diesel prices in line with international prices. Additionally, they want diesel to be brought under the GST regime so that there can be uniform pricing, as also quarterly revision of diesel prices instead of the present practice of daily revision.

Transporters’ demand

On GST rules, they are calling for a single rule for all verticals, with no registration and compliance requirements, and a move back to regulations as prevalent under service tax regime. AIMTC points out said that transporters still need to register for 12 per cent input credit under forward charge mechanism. They have also raised the issue of double taxation on sale of used business assets.

The strike was called jointly by All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the All India Transporters Welfare Association and the All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners Association.

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