Transport operators strike evokes good response

Bangalore, Jan 20(UNI) Movement of essential commodities has been hit with trucks and goods vehicles keeping off the roads in many parts of Karnataka since midnight last night following the statewide strike call given by transport operators protesting mandatory installation of speed governors.

The strike evoked good response in Bangalore, Mangalore, Gulbarga and 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, were not affected.

The strike evoked poor response in the districts of Hubli, Belgaum and Shimoga.

Meanwhile, the government, in a bid to diffuse the situation, has called for an emergency meeting between the 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 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 the government had done not much to solve the problems faced by them and making speed governors mandatory was unscientific.

They alleged the equipment manufacturer had fixed the cost of the gadget at Rs 16,000 while the same was available for Rs 2,500 in New Delhi.

If the government ensured supply of governors for the price at which it was available in the national capital, they were ready to fix them, they said.

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