'Three-day ban on heavy motor vehicles on Maharashtra highways results in Rs 100 crore loss'

NAVI MUMBAI: A three-day ban on heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) on major highways in Maharashtra is causing losses to transport companies.
The restriction is in place to avoid traffic jams on April 16 when social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari will be presented with the Maharashtra Bhushan Award in Kharghar by Union home minister Amit Shah.

Bal MalKit Singh, chairman, core committee and former president of All India Motor Transport Congress said, "Numerous trucks carrying goods worth crores of rupees are stuck on the highways due to the ban on heavy vehicle traffic on NH-66 from April 14 at midnight to April 16 at midnight for the Maharashtra Bhushan Awards. The port movement is severely impacted, as is the crucial movement of finished goods and raw materials to and from the manufacturing facilities. What is the position of the National Logistics Policy with regard to such delays in the movement of freight? In addition to the thousands of crores that the industries will lose, it is estimated that the transport sector will suffer a loss of Rs 100 crore. Thousands of trucks and their crews are currently stuck in the open on the highway and in no-entry zones. Without protection, restrooms, water, or food, they are completely helpless”.

He added," There are chances of pilferage and theft of goods as there are no secured parking lots. Alternative solutions could have been worked out. The government should have taken a considerate view of the likely fallout on the transport sector and the industries as such before proclaiming the ban orders”.