The Automobile Carrier Welfare Association (ACWA) has announced an indefinite strike that shall have about 60,000 trucks off the streets effective today. The strike has been announced as a protest over non-issuance of fitness certificates by the Regional Transport Authority. The trucks in question have reportedly been plying on Haryana roads for about 30 years and have been denied certificates citing over-sized dimensions.
Speaking more on the occasion, Daman Dewan, ACWA general-secretary said, “Almost all trucks associated with the automobile sector are over-sized, but have been granted fitness certificates for the past 30 years. The new Transport Commissioner, Ashok Khemka, has denied the fitness certificates after taking over, forcing several trucks to go off the roads. And those plying on the roads are being challaned. We have met the Chief Minister and several senior officials concerned, but there is no breakthrough. We have now decided to go off the roads to make our voice heard.” A truck driver stated that earlier they could transport about 5 cars, but with the legal regulation only two cars can be transported.
The Haryana government reportedly denied handing out fitness certificates to trucks since December 3 which has indeed resulted in many vehicles being sent off-roads. The trucks are reportedly designed on the basis of dimensions given by automobile manufacturers. The strike is also expected to affect vehicle manufacturing plants in the region who may face difficulty in transporting the vehicles.
