Truckers to go on strike against order banning 10-years-old diesel vehicles in Delhi

New Delhi:  Truckers on Saturday threatened to stop moving goods in and out of the national capital from Tuesday against the National Green Tribunal's order banning diesel vehicles of more than 10 years age from plying in the city.

Truckers, who had last gone on strike in 2009 against the diesel price hike, said they will stop moving essential and perishable commodities into the national capital from Monday midnight, that is Tuesday, in protest of the ban.

The Tribunal has directed that all diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old will not be permitted to operate in the National Capital.

"No commercial vehicle will run in Delhi from the Monday midnight. We strongly oppose the decision of NGT and the strike will continue till the ban is lifted," Bhim Wadhwa, President All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) told PTI.

Essential services and movement of goods and commodities would be affected by the strike called by the truckers.

The tribunal had directed the transport department of the Delhi government and other concerned authorities to prepare a comprehensive data of registration of vehicles which are 10 or more years old.

AIMTC has said that as a part of the order a number of vehicles are being impounded at night and money is being fleeced from vulnerable truckers.

It added that the government must pay heed to the loss of livelihood of lakhs of truckers and their family members on account of this short sighted diktat.

The Delhi traffic police has already impounded over 250 vehicles to enact the order.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that the country's economic situation and other aspects also need to be taken into account while implementing such decisions.