Transport strike withdrawn as govt yields

Bangalore, Jan 22 (UNI) With the Karnataka Government deciding to restrict the mandatory fixing of speed governors to newly-registered vehicles only, the transporters withdrew their two-day old strike tonight.

The transporters were protesting against government decision of mandatory installation of speed governors in transport and goods vehicles. Thousands of trucks were stranded at the state borders with Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Truck owners had launched agitation since mid-night yesterday by keeping vehicles off the road. With yesterday's talks with the Transport Commissioner inconclusive, the strike had entered the second day today, leading to rise in prices of vegetables.

The transporters had complained that speed governors were priced too high in the state at Rs 16,000, while the same cost just Rs 2,500 in Delhi.

They said they would comply with the revised order only if the government provided the equipment at a minimal rate.

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