Truckers’ nationwide strike affects supplies to city

The nationwide strike by truckers is beginning to tell an effect on the supplies coming into the city. On Wednesday,the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) president Shivlal Bhosale said that the supplies have reduced by half. The transporters have said that the strike will continue till the government agrees to their demands. “As on today,there has been a 50 per cent fall in supplies. Existent stocks have depleted and new stocks are not coming in,” said Bhosale. Shashikant Dombe,secretary of the Pune Motor Goods Transport Association,said that all trucks have been grounded and the chakka jam andolan has been receiving wide support.

“Our leaders in Delhi have assured that a decision will soon be taken. However,the government is yet to react to our demands,” Dombe said. At Market Yard,the number of trucks parked are minimal. “Normally,close to 2,000 trucks are parked at the yard,” said Dombe. The transporters are demanding a reduction in diesel prices,import duty for tyres,national transit fee among other local grievances.