Truckers stir enters day 2; construction work not hit

Truckers stir enters day 2; construction work not hit
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Even as the truckers strike entered the second day, it did not impact on the supply of construction materials.



It was usual business for the truck operators in Bangalore, as the supply of sand, crushed stone, cement and iron bars was regular. If at all there was any indication of truckers’ strike, then it was on the Outer Ring Roads from where trucks usually enter the city from the sand mines.

There was hardly any movement of sand carrying trucks on Kanakapura Road, where the heavy movement of trucks is seen on other occasions. Truckers say that they are allowed to empty the existing stock but they cannot load the truck from the source, the sand mines.

Trucks carrying crushed stones, size stones, soling stones, cement bags, soil, bricks and iron bars were evidently rolling on the city roads showing little impact of the indefinite strike of truckers on the construction industry in the city.

The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents’ Association (FKSLOAA) President G R Shanmugappa said the stir would enter its third successive day as no breakthrough has been achieved.

“As many as 15,000 trucks transporting construction materials have come to a standstill. About 25 lakh daily wage workers are rendered jobless. The government has not addressed our issues yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister R Ashok said the government is ready to issue permits, but will not allow sand mining in Thippagondanahalli, in view of the environmental hazards.