Chennai: As many as 4.5 lakh lorries across Tamil Nadu went off roads on Monday demanding revision of GST rates and soaring fuel prices.
The nationwide two-day strike announced by All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) caused the state a loss of nearly Rs 100 crore on the first day.
Sources said while 75 per cent of the lorries from Chennai Goods Transport Association and AIMTC are currently involved in the strike, 25 per cent of them in transit would join on Tuesday.
Koyambedu truckers and lorry owners carrying perishable goods, trucks transporting goods from Andhra, Karnataka and Kerala, and Ottanchattiram, Dindugal and Theni that have a transit point for sending the goods are participating in the strike.
Mainly, about 45,000 sand lorries plying in the roads are stopped causing a loss of about 25 lakh to the government. R. Panneerselvam, general secretary, Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owners' Association, said, "We would initially earn of profit of Rs 5,000 for each lorry and after the introduction of GST, we are finding it difficult to even reach break-even-point."
He further rued that there is multiple taxation while buying the vehicle and purchasing spare parts, fuel and other necessary goods. Truck operators also demanded reduce fuel prices as diesel and toll charges account for nearly 70 per cent of operating costs.
No movement of lorries could affect the prices of English vegetables like carrot, beetroot, cauliflower, beans and drumstick. The impact is likely to be felt on Tuesday.
