“For the first time in Indian history, the diesel price has crossed that of petrol in New Delhi. In the past 25 days, there has been a continuous increase in diesel price. Lorry owners are not able to operate and if this trend continues, the diesel price is estimated to reach Rs 100 per litre in another few days,” Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owners’ Federation president S Yuvaraj said.

Noting that the taxes imposed by the Centre and the State governments are much higher than the actual cost of the fuel, he said that the Union government should intervene to stop the daily rise in diesel price and should bring it under the Goods and Service Tax. In Chennai, the diesel price has gone up from Rs 67 a litre to Rs 78 per litre following the recent hike.

“Toll constitutes a major expense in running a vehicle. So we request you to waive toll for the next six months after the lockdown period,” he said, adding at the current diesel price, the lorry owners on an average would suffer a loss of Rs 53,000 per month.