Lorry strike hits petroleum movement in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 1 (UNI) Movement of petroleum products was affected in some places in Kerala, with the tanker lorry strike in protest against the Supreme Court directive making speed governors mandatory for heavy vehicles, contiuning for the day.

Meanwhile, the government said all necessary steps would be taken so that the strike would not affect the people.

Movement of petroleum products was hit in some places, sources said adding that the petroleum companies had used their own vehicles for transporting the products. They also said if the strike continued, these services would also be affected leading to a shortage of petroleum products.

The All Kerala Lorry Owners Association (AKLOA) had called for the indefinite strike in protest against the directive making speed governors mandatory for heavy vehicles.

Bus, tanker and lorry operators had withdrawn their services earlier this month and the five-day strike was called off following talks with the state transport minister. The operators had withdrawn from the strike in view of the promises made by the minister to expedite the Ordinance to overcome the Supreme Court directive on speed governors.

They also said they would consider resumption of the agitation if the promise was not kept.

The Kerala government had already decided to promulgate an Ordinance to overcome the Supreme Court directive on speed governors.

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