As per reports, although the All India Motor Transport Association (AIMTC) decided to end the nationwide truck drivers’ protests against the new hit-and-run law, after talks with the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on the night of Tuesday (02 January), the following disruptions were recorded in parts of India through the day.

• In Maharashtra, truck drivers staged protests in various locations, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Solapur, and Nashik.
– Traffic Disruption: Traffic disruption was reported on the Eastern Express Highway near Vikhroli.
– Armed Escorts for Petrol Tankers in Nagpur: Police deployed armed escorts for tankers transporting petrol to ensure the safe movement of these vehicles.
– Impact on Vegetable and Fruit Supply in Pune: The strike affected the supply of vegetables and fruits to Pune’s wholesale market at Gultekdi, resulting in a price increase of around 15 percent. The Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) reported an average drop of about 30 percent in wholesale vegetable supply on Tuesday (02 January). Several trucks carrying vegetables and fruits did not arrive at Market Yard due to the strike, leading to a rise in prices.
– Onion Price Increase: The strike’s impact is visible in various markets, particularly on onion prices. The rates per quintal increased from INR 1,600 to INR 1,800 to INR 2,000 due to the disrupted supply chain caused by the strike.
• In Chandigarh:
– The administration had limited two-wheelers to a maximum of two litres (up to INR 200) and four-wheelers to five litres (up to INR 500) of fuel per transaction.
– Due to panic buying, long queues at fuel stations have been observed in various parts of the country, leading to restrictions in Chandigarh.
• In Delhi NCR:
– Long queues were witnessed at petrol pumps in New Delhi on Tuesday (02 January). CNG and petrol pumps in Delhi-NCR have not announced any strike on Wednesday (03 January).
– At Ghaziabad, some protesters stopped auto-rickshaws and tractors and asked them to turn around. At a bus depot in Ghaziabad, state transport buses were grounded as their drivers joined the protest.
– In Noida, a shortage of gas cylinders was reported due to the strike by truck drivers.
– Due to the strike, hundreds of big vehicles did not operate and were parked in Transport Nagar of Gurugram. Petrol pump operators in the city stated that at present there has been no impact on them on the supply of fuel due to the availability of previous stock. Moreover, 30 buses did not run on Tuesday (02 January) in protest against the new hit and run law in Gurugram.
– Supply of vegetables in Delhi’s wholesale markets, potentially leading to a spike in prices of kitchen staples. Traders reported a 10-15 precent rise in vegetable prices in the national capital due to a slowdown in supply caused by the strike. Prices of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and capsicum have reportedly increased by INR 5-7 per kg in many wholesale markets.
– The Azadpur Mandi received a lesser supply of vegetables on Tuesday compared to the last four days due to the ongoing strike. While rates have not witnessed significant fluctuation yet, the situation may evolve in the coming days.
– Supplies of vegetables en route from far-off places in states such as Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan were stuck for about five or six hours due to the protest.
• In Himachal Pradesh:
– Most petrol pumps in Dharamshala, Kullu-Manali, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Una, and Shimla were rejecting customers, and rationing of fuel was initiated in some districts. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed massive queues at fuel stations, and the fuel station owners’ association predicted a complete dry-out as 1,500 tankers were on strike.
• In Punjab:
– The Punjab government urged the public to refrain from panic buying, assuring them of adequate fuel stocks, but long queues persisted at petrol pumps across the state, leading to arguments among waiting customers.
• In Madhya Pradesh:
– The strike led to the disruption of nearly five lakh vehicles, leaving numerous passengers stranded due to the non-operation of inter-city buses.
• In Rajasthan:
– Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma convened a meeting on Tuesday (02 January) to assess the impact of the nationwide strike by transport unions protesting the new penal law on hit-and-run cases.
– Government officials were instructed to evaluate the availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG, formulate an action plan, engage in discussions with representatives of agitating transport organizations, and take necessary measures to clarify misconceptions about the new provision.
– A case of stone pelting on a bus from Banswara depot was reported during the protest, with agitators targeting a bus traveling from Jaipur to Banswara near Nasirabad.
– In Ajmer, drivers organized a rally and submitted a memorandum to the district administration, urging the withdrawal of amendments in the rules of punishment for hit-and-run cases.
– The Kekri district witnessed violent protests during the truckers’ strike, leading to a mob burning a police vehicle and pelting stones at security personnel. Three policemen sustained injuries in the incident.
– Various organizations representing four-wheelers in Ajmer mobilized for the demand, staging protests at intersections, halting incoming tempo travels, taxis, city buses, etc., and redirecting them to Patel Maidan.
• In Gujarat:
– Sporadic incidents of violence were reported in Surat, where hundreds of truck drivers protested and stopped a state-run bus, resulting in a scuffle with the police. Twenty-three drivers were detained following the incident.
– In other parts of Gujarat, including Saurashtra, the strike did not significantly impact major trade and industry hubs. Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) like those in Gondal and Mahuva experienced normal trade, although there might be an increase in transit duration.
• Approximately 2,000 petrol pumps, mainly in western and northern India, reported running out of fuel stocks due to panic buying. While state-owned oil firms had preemptively filled tanks at most petrol pumps, some pumps in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab experienced stock shortages.
• In Maharashtra’s Nashik district, truck drivers called off their strike on Tuesday (02 January) evening after local authorities assured them of addressing their demands.
• Following a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, the All India Motor Transport Association (AIMTC) on Tuesday (02 January) decided to end the nationwide truck drivers’ protests against the new hit-and-run law. The government assured AIMTC that the new laws have not been implemented yet and will only be enforced after consultations with the transport body.
• In Jammu and Kashmir:
– As per reports, on Tuesday (02 January), several fuel stations went dry in Jammu due to the strike by the transporters opposing the new law of the Central government pertaining to hit-and-run cases.
– The transporters in various districts of Jammu region under the banner of All J&K Transporters Association staged protests demanding roll back of the new law.
– The transporters also staged a protest at Lakhanpur in Kathua district–the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir.
– Meanwhile, the Association of Tanker Drivers gathered at the entrance of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Depot in Sempora, Srinagar, on Tuesday (02 January), voicing their opposition to the law.
– The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) issued an appeal to the government, urging prompt attention to the concerns of transporters, to avoid a potential disruption in the supply chain.
• In Haryana:
– On Tuesday (02 January), at around 1000 hours, truck drivers carrying goods from other states and local areas near Aurangabad in the Mundkati police station area caused a blockage on the Delhi-Agra highway till the Karman border at Hodal and Palwal.
– Meanwhile, roadways workers in Gohana reportedly announced that they will hold a two-hour symbolic strike from 1100-1300 hours on Wednesday (03 January) in protest against the new law. During this period the operation of buses will also be affected.
– A similar demonstration has also been announced by roadways employees in Panipat wherein from 1100-1300 hours, buses will be blocked from leaving the depot while roadways drivers and other employees will hold a protest at the old bus stand.