Truckers go on strike; govt refuses to scrap toll

New Delhi: Disrupting movement of goods in various parts of the country, apex transporters body AIMTC on Thursday went on an indefinite strike with the government refusing to scrap the existing toll system.
While supply of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and medicines have been kept out of the purview of the strike, its impact was seen in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh among other places.
While appealing to the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) to call off the strike, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the toll system can’t be scrapped.
“It is up to them to continue their strike. Government cannot scrap toll. We have already assured to implement electronic tolling system pan-India by December. I appeal them to call off the strike,” Gadkari said.
Gadkari said government is committed to delivering good highways to transporters and is serious that they do not have to wait at toll plazas.
AIMTC President Bhim Wadhwa said electronic toll system suggested by the minister is not a solution as “e-tolling project of the government is a failed concept… Even their pilot project has failed. The partnering banks like ICICI and Axis Bank too have distanced themselves from the project.”
“Our indefinite strike is successful as per reports coming from all parts of the country,” he said.
AIMTC leader Charan Singh Lohara said: “We have stopped new bookings and delivery of goods as the truckers numbering around two lakh in the region comprising Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have joined the strike on Thursday.” (PTI)