The truck strike began on Monday around midnight, and more than six Lakh trucks have a leg out of the roads since then in the state. He thought it is only the first day of the strike, significant interruptions were reported in Karnataka. While essential services such as milk supply have been exempt, trucks that transport vegetables, LPG cylinders, construction materials and industrial products were kept out of the roads.
The members of the association said that no fresh products were loaded, and that those that were already and the route were Uneten. “More than 4,000 Karnataka daily charges to Tamil Nadu have stopped. Chennai, which depends largely on regions such as Kolar, has begun to feel the pinch,” Rudrappa K., a Bengaluru truck driver, told Bengaluru.
Merchants in Bangalore have begun to monitor the situation closely. “Until now, there is no great impact on the KR market. But if the strike continues beyond Wednesday night, there could be serious problems,” said Prakasha H., a vegetable merchant in the KR market.
Impact beyond Karnataka
The strike has also begun to affect interstatal trade. Trucks are being delayed that transport onions from Nashik, Maharashtra, a vital supply for the State. Rajesh H. of the Bengaluru commercial truck association said: “Around 15,000 trucks from Maharashtra and Gujarat pass through Karnataka every day. With the strike, this whole movement is interrupted.”
Moreoover, more than 60 transport associations of 24 states have expressed solidarity with the Karnataka truck strike. It has been advised to trucks from these states that do not enter Karnataka in the protest, adding pressure to the already tense supply routes, he added.
Many truckers and members of the association said that, unless the government takes immediate measures, they would continue the strike. “We have a patient in the legs for a long time. With diesel prices, tolls and FC rates, everything is finding losses. The government says it needs more, but now we need relief,” said Rundo M., a Yeshwant truck driver.
“We are not making gifts. We just want our problems to be recognized and treated urgently. Only a partial reversal in cease or toll can give us space to breathe,” he added.
Published – April 15, 2025 10:13 PM IST