Lorry strike in Karnataka enters second day; supply chain disruptions feared

The indefinite strike by lorry operators has disrupted goods transportation across the State. A view of loading goods onto a lorry in Chamarajpet in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The lorry operators’ strike in Karnataka entered its second consecutive day on Wednesday, following an inconclusive meeting between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and representatives of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents’ Association (FKSLOA) held on Tuesday evening.

The indefinite strike by lorry operators has disrupted goods transportation across the State. The primary demands of the striking truckers include a rollback of the recent hike in diesel prices and a reduction in toll charges on State highways.

The strike, spearheaded by FKSLOA, has seen participation from nearly six lakh lorries, according to its president, G.R. Shanmugappa. “Our demands are non-negotiable. The strike will continue till the government rolls back the diesel price hike and fulfil all our demands,” he asserted.

In Bengaluru’s wholesale markets, traders fear an impact on the supply chain.“There’s been no serious shortage so far. But if the strike stretches beyond the next two days, we’ll begin to feel the pinch. Most agricultural produce from other States hasn’t arrived due to the strike. Only consignments coming by goods trains are reaching the city, and even those require lorries to be transported from railway stations to markets,” Shailesh Ladhad, a trader from Yeshwanthpur APMC yard, told The Hindu.

Another trader, B. Ravi Shankar, from Yeshwanthpur APMC yard, urged the government to act swiftly. “The State government must find a solution immediately. If this continues, it will not only impact traders like us but also disrupt the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on these markets for daily earnings — loaders, helpers, small shopkeepers. Eventually, even consumers will face price hikes and shortages,” he said.

Apart from milk tankers, all categories of goods carriers — including vehicles transporting fuel, LPG cylinders, food grains, industrial products, and construction materials — have been taken off the roads. The impact is felt not only within Karnataka but also in neighbouring States.

With lorries from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala also halting services into Karnataka, inter-state trade has been paralysed. Dhanaraj K., a trader from Madiwala market, described the situation as a complete logjam. “Hundreds of lorries bring fruits, vegetables, poultry, and other goods to Bengaluru daily from Tamil Nadu. But now, most of them are parked near border points like Hosur and Sathyamangalam. The supply chain is disrupted,” he said.

Speaking to The Hindu, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that interstate transport has taken a hit. “Yes, lorries from other States have stopped coming, which has created bottlenecks. However, the situation within the State remains manageable for now,” he said.

Mr. Reddy added that while the truckers were demanding the removal of toll charges at 18 locations on State Highways, they were not raising similar concerns regarding tolls levied by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). “Their protest is mostly directed at the state government. Even though the diesel price hike is a result of central policies, they are not urging the Centre to act,” he noted.

He also addressed the truckers’ opposition to the implementation of a Union government rule mandating a ₹15,000 charge for the renewal of fitness certificates. “This is a Central government directive. Yet the demands are only placed before the State government,” he pointed out.

The Minister assured that another round of discussions with the association will be held on Thursday in an effort to reach a resolution.