Port activity unaffected in Kandla, Mundra despite truckers' strike

Kandla port, Bhuj, June 13 (UNI) Loading and unloading work at the two major Gujarat ports of Kandla and Mundra remained unaffected today despite the nation-wide strike by the All India Motor Transport Congress to protest against the hike in petrol and diesel prices.

''The port operations were not affected by the strike,'' said port sources. These two ports are the gateway for trading activities to Europe.

Though local truck operators did not ply their vehicles, those coming from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, were seen moving towards these ports, said Mr Suresh Thakker, of the Mundra Truck Owners Association.

Transporters belonging to Gujarat Truck Transporters Association, and their Kandla and Gandhidham counterparts, and also Gandhidham Tankers' Owners' Association, staged demonstration at Galpadal crossroads and stopped traffic for about three hours on NH 8.

Association president Vasan Ahir said the hike in fuel rates were unwarranted and should be rolled back.

This resulted in a traffic jam on the highway. However, movement of traffic resumed after 1500 hrs.

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