Maharashtra truckers to remain off road on October 9-10; supply of essentials won’t be affected

They will support the nationwide strike against GST and rising fuel prices.

Lakhs of truckers from Maharashtra will participate in the two-day nationwide strike from October 9, protesting against the Goods and Services Tax (GST), escalating fuel prices and corruption on roads.

All Indian Motor Transport Congress’s (AIMTC) call for the strike has received support from Maharashtra Rajya Truck Tempo Tankers Bus Vahatuk Mahasangh, Bombay Goods transport Association (BGTA) and other transport associations in the state.

Transporters’ bodies claimed that more than 10 lakh trucks and other goods vehicles will remain off the road.

But, the transportation of essential commodities such as milk, vegetables and medicines will remain unaffected.

Prasanna Patwardhan, president of Maharashtra Rajya Truck Tempo Tankers Bus Vahatuk Mahasangh, said, “The supply of essential commodities will not be affected. Buses will not participate in the strike immediately, but in the next stage they will join us,” he said.

Mahendra Arya, former president of BGTA, said the transporters are forced to register under GST, though the government will not get any revenue out of it.

They also want diesel price be revised on quarterly basis instead of daily.

BGTA and other transport association leaders said toll plazas should be shut as those lead to heavy losses to transporters.