Bangalore, Dec 31: Lorry owners will start an indefinite state-wide strike from midnight tonight after Karnataka government rejected their demand to drop the proposal to ban transport and commercial vehicles more than 20 years old, within city limits from the New Year day.
Talks between government officials and representatives of Karnataka lorry owners association failed today, with the administration resolving to stick to the rules.
The state government said that the decision was taken to reduce the pollution levels and keeping in mind the health of lakhs of residents and there was no going back now. Transport minister B Ramanatha Rai said that the administration had taken all steps to ensure that movement of essential supplies including milk, vegetables, petroleum products and LPG was not hampered.
Describing the strike as "unfortunate", he appealed to them to call it off.
Rai told reporters 25 squads would be deployed in the city to enforce the rule. A fine of Rs 1,000 would be imposed on more-than-20-years-old vehicle on city road, Rs 2,000 in the second instance and if the same vehicle was seen plying for the third time, it would be seized.
Bureau Report