K'taka: Transport strike gets effective response

{image-strike transport_21012008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Bangalore, Jan 21:Movement of essential commodities was hit as truck and goods vehicles went off the roads in many parts of Karnataka since midnight last night following the statewide strike call given by transport operators who are protesting against the mandatory installation of speed governors.

The strike evoked good response in Bangalore, Mangalore, Gulbarga, Davangere where movement of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and grains was badly hit. However, the Federation of Lorry Owners Associations today decided to allow movement of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and petrol.

Vehicles attached to employee-ferrying numbering over 10,000 in Bangalore was not affected. The strike evoked poor response in the districts of Hubli, Belgaum and Shimoga.

However, vehicles carry gas and construction material like sand, cement and bricks will be part of the strike. Meanwhile the government in its bid to diffuse the situation, called an emergency meeting between transport operators and the Transport Department Secretary today.

The decision to go on strike was taken at a meeting of various transport operator associations called by the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Associations after the State Transport Department had insisted on speed governors in the vehicles from January one.

Maxi cabs and private passenger bus operators said they would meet today to take a decision on supporting the truckers strike.

Transport operators alleged that the government had done not much to solve the problems faced by them and making fixing of speed governors mandatory was unscientific.

They alleged that the equipment manufacturer had fixed the cost of governors at Rs 16,000, while the same was available for Rs 2500 in New Delhi. If the government ensure supply of governors at that price they were ready to fix them, they said.

UNI