Karnataka: Essential supplies hit as 6 lakh truckers launch strike; transporters from 24 states extend support

Truck strike

Nearly six lakh truckers under the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association (FKSLOA) in Karnataka began their indefinite strike on April 14 at midnight against fuel price hikes and harassment at toll plazas.

According to the association, all trucks, except those carrying milk, will stay off the roads. This includes trucks transporting essentials, construction materials, petrol, LPG, and other goods. Over 60 transport associations from 24 states have extended their support to the strike, and trucks from these states will not enter Karnataka during the protest.

The association president, GR Shanmugappa, said, “Karnataka government has hiked the price of diesel twice in a span of just seven months, increasing the operational costs, and truckers are struggling to operate. The diesel price hike has affected every citizen of Karnataka.”

The association has also raised several other demands, such as scrapping toll collection within Karnataka, eliminating RTO checkposts at state borders, and withdrawing the Centre’s directive to charge Rs 15,000 for Fitness Certificate renewal. A key demand also includes easing the ‘no entry’ restriction for trucks in Bengaluru.

The strike is expected to stop the flow of over 4,000 daily loads of vegetables, rice, medicines, and other essentials from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. "Chennai, which heavily depends on truckloads from Kolar and other regions of Karnataka for vegetables, especially tomatoes, will feel the pinch almost instantly," warned G R Shanmugappa.

Tomatoes are currently selling for around Rs 25 per kg in Tamil Nadu, but prices could spike if the supply chain is disrupted. Karnataka also supplies other key produce like guavas and onions. Traders are particularly concerned about trucks coming from Maharashtra, especially those carrying onions from Nashik, being delayed due to the strike. Rajesh H from the Bengaluru Commercial Truck Association noted that around 15,000 trucks from Maharashtra and Gujarat pass through Karnataka every day.