Nationwide truckers’ strike enters second day

All-India Motor Transport Congress' nationwide indefinite strike continues for the second day. Truckers have declared a nation-wide strike, demanding lower diesel prices, toll fees amongst others.

Locals told news agency ANI, 'We are facing a lot of problems. It is tough to send children to school on time. It's also raining so streets and stations are waterlogged. We don't even get a taxi.'

The School Bus and Company Bus Owners Association of Maharashtra have also extended their support to the nation-wide truckers strike. No less than 8,000 buses in Mumbai and 40,000 buses across Maharashtra are reported to be affiliated to the association.

"All these buses will be off the roads today," Anil Garg, association president was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. He also informed that their decision to support the truckers is merely to show solidarity and will last until Friday.

Truckers are also provoked by the high insurance premia and demand a reduction in third-party premium, exemption on third-party premia from GST. Additionally, they are also pressing for exemptions and abolitions indirect taxes and national permits for all buses and trucks.

AIMTC Secretary General Naveen Gupta informed PTI that the body decided to go on strike on Friday because "talks with Finance Minister Piyush Goyal which continued till 1.30 am remained inconclusive as nothing concrete was being offered."

Gupta said, on Friday the body is scheduled to meet ministry officials concerned and earlier, transport minister Nitin Gadkari had sought three months time. "We are hopeful of some concrete solutions today," Gupta was quoted as saying.

Trucks parked in Kolkata

Trucks stand parked during an all India strike by truck operators, in Kolkata on Friday 20, July 2018. (PTI Photo)

APMC truck terminal in Mumbai

Trucks parked at APMC truck terminal following a strike called by the transporters, in Navi Mumbai on Friday, July 20, 2018. Truck owners and operators are demanding for the reduction in central and state taxes by getting diesel under the GST so that price of the deregulated commodity can be reduced.

Truck terminal in Kolkata

Trucks parked at a truck terminal following a strike called by the transporters, in Kolkata on Friday, July 20, 2018. Truck owners and operators are demanding for reduction in central and state taxes by getting diesel under the GST so that price of the deregulated commodity can be reduced.

School Bus association support to strike

The School Bus and Company Bus Owners Association of Maharashtra have also extended their support to the nation-wide truckers strike. No less than 8,000 buses in Mumbai and 40,000 buses across Maharashtra are reported to be affiliated to the association.