Challenges follow transporters sans interruption

The new set of rules announced by the Government as part of the fourth phase of lockdown are said to be designed to aid smoother inter-state travel among other things. The transport minister Nitin Gadkari too indicated in an interaction with Bus Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) recently that public (bus) transport could start with adherence to the guidelines set by relevant authorities. The ground reality however is nowhere close to what the Government thinks, mentioned a transporter from Navi Mumbai. On the condition of not revealing his name, he said that vested interests continue to harass. Vehicles continue to be stopped at various check posts, state borders, etc., he added. Expressing that the Government has completely ignored their industry, he stated that there is no response yet for health cover for CV drivers, road tax and toll tax holiday and extension of insurance cover timeline. It is becoming difficult to stay in business, he rued. The outgo is more than the income, making it difficult to maintain even the bare essential staff and pay driver salaries, he quipped.