Bangalore: About six lakh commercial vehicles kept off the roads across Karnataka Sunday in support of about 3,000 sand transporters, agitating since Dec 22 demanding more permits, release of lorries seized by the police and end to harassment of drivers at check-posts.
"The response to our three-week-long agitation has been overwhelming as movement of transport vehicles ferrying goods and people on intra- and inter-state routes came to a standstill," Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association G.R. Shanmugappa told reporters here.
Even Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners' Association, Southern LPG Gas Tankers' Association and Kerala and Pudicherry truckers' associations joined the indefinite strike, affecting supply of essential commodities across the state.
Vehicles carrying perishable goods like milk, vegetables and fruits were exempted from the strike.
"Besides, more permits to transport sand for construction activity, our demands include setting up of more truck terminals, revision of overload limit, withdrawal of minimum qualification of eighth class pass for driving licence to commercial vehicles and freezing diesel prices," Shanmugappa said.
