MUMBAI: Transporters fear that the truck driver population could dwindle the day after the lockdown is lifted as many are eager to return to their native villages.
“Already, some of the drivers have gone back to their villages and others are stranded on highways, waiting to ply trucks till the stated destination once the lockdown is lifted and then quickly return home. This may impact the essential and non-essential goods supply chain,” said Abhishek Gupta of Bombay Goods Transport Association. Transporters’ bodies are appealing to drivers to continue their work and ensure that transportation of essential goods remains uninterrupted in larger public interest.
The truck drivers were on the highways when the lockdown was announced on March 25. “Suddenly, the next morning, they didn’t find any place to have a cup of tea. They got beaten by the police if they tried to move the trucks. There was no place for lunch of dinner that day. Many of these drivers left their trucks and returned to their villages. Some stayed on,” Gupta told TOI.
Bal Malkit Singh of the All India Motor Transport Congress, a national body of transporters, admitted to a “shortage” of drivers and that whosoever was available has to be paid more to ply trucks. “We requested the government for Rs 50 lakh insurance for every truck driver who was risking his life and was a frontline worker to deliver the essentials. But this has not been announced,” said Singh. All India Transporters Welfare Association is encouraging drivers to return as they can get back to making a living.
“Already, some of the drivers have gone back to their villages and others are stranded on highways, waiting to ply trucks till the stated destination once the lockdown is lifted and then quickly return home. This may impact the essential and non-essential goods supply chain,” said Abhishek Gupta of Bombay Goods Transport Association. Transporters’ bodies are appealing to drivers to continue their work and ensure that transportation of essential goods remains uninterrupted in larger public interest.
The truck drivers were on the highways when the lockdown was announced on March 25. “Suddenly, the next morning, they didn’t find any place to have a cup of tea. They got beaten by the police if they tried to move the trucks. There was no place for lunch of dinner that day. Many of these drivers left their trucks and returned to their villages. Some stayed on,” Gupta told TOI.
Bal Malkit Singh of the All India Motor Transport Congress, a national body of transporters, admitted to a “shortage” of drivers and that whosoever was available has to be paid more to ply trucks. “We requested the government for Rs 50 lakh insurance for every truck driver who was risking his life and was a frontline worker to deliver the essentials. But this has not been announced,” said Singh. All India Transporters Welfare Association is encouraging drivers to return as they can get back to making a living.
Coronavirus outbreak
Trending Topics
LATEST VIDEOS
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Get the app