AGRA: Amid the ongoing massive farmers' protests in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi-NCR, around 150 trucks laden with fruits, vegetables, groceries, garments, shoes and machine spare parts from Agra region have been left stranded at various locations on the national highways in Punjab and Haryana for the past 48 hours.
Due to the disruption in the movement of these essential goods, transporters have cancelled existing bookings and new orders. Similarly, transporters from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have refused to operate through western Uttar Pradesh, for now.
During winter, woollen clothes in large quantities are usually supplied in Agra region from Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar in Punjab and Sonipat and Panipat in Haryana. Besides, agriculture equipment, machine spare parts are supplied in parts of western UP from Karnal in Haryana and Kapurthala in Punjab. Medicines, fruits and vegetables in large quantities are also supplied to western UP from the two states. On the other hand, potatoes, shoes, leather products, chemicals, glass, handicraft items are sent to Punjab and Haryana from the Agra region.
Virendra Gupta, managing committee member of the All India Motor Transport Congress, said, “Following the massive stir, the goods transport network has been significantly affected in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. Around 150 loaded trucks of Agra region are stuck for over 48 hours. The actual number of goods carriers parked on highways in Punjab and Haryana is over 1,000. Besides, blocking the Singhu and Tikri borders, roads have been dug up by police at various places. The Centre should coordinate with the states to ensure the supply chain does not remain affected."
Charan Singh, president of Agra Public Carrier Association, said, “More than Rs 60 crore worth of goods of Agra district is stuck in Punjab and Haryana. Bookings have been stalled. Transporters of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also not taking orders for supply of fruits and medicines to western UP. Transporters will suffer huge losses if the situation doesn't improve soon. Perishable items like fruits and vegetables in stranded trucks will start getting spoilt in the next 2-3 days."
Echoing the plight of other truck owners, a machine spare parts wholesaler Anurag Gaur said, “At least 10 trucks carrying nut-bolt, engine and automotive spare parts, agriculture equipment, motors are stuck in parts of Punjab and Haryana. The entire supply chain is badly affected."