Truckers' strike paralyses Karnataka transport

Hundreds of trucks were seen parked on highways and on the outskirts of cities and towns, as drivers and cleaners staged demonstrations against the state transport department.

Thousands of passengers landing or departing from the Kempegowda International Airport at Devanahalli on the outskirts of Bangalore were also affected as about 4,500 taxis stopped operations since early Sunday morning.

Even tourists and commoners were left stranded as owners of private buses, maxi cabs and tempos refused to operate their vehicles.

"As the state government has not responded to our demands like parking space for taxis, housing sites and training schools, we have decided to join the strike," Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners' Association general secretary Radhakrishna Holla said.

Meanwhile, state Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to hold talks with the truckers' and the sand lorry owners' associations to resolve the agitation after prolonged parleys between the state transport officials and associations have failed.

"I have urged him (chief minister) to convene a meeting to sort out their issues as the lorry owners have agreed to abide by the new mining policy regulating permits but want withdrawal of police cases registered against them for transporting sand illegally," Reddy said.