Diesel price hike: Protests, freight rates up

The nationwide diesel price hike has had an immediate effect in the city. With transporters increasing freight rates by 10 to 15 per cent due to the hike, essential commodities like vegetable and fruits are likely to cost more in the coming days.

Jagdish Chand, vice-chairman of the Ludhiana Transporters Welfare Association, said, "In the past 3 years, diesel prices have been hiked by Rs 15 but every other time it was marginal. For the first time the hike has been steep and industrialists have no reason to oppose a price hike by transporters. On an average, a truck going from Ludhiana to Mumbai will charge Rs 10,000 more while one to Delhi will charge Rs 3,000 more. The rates will be announced soo."

Amarvir Singh, president of the Fruits and Vegetable Wholesalers Association, said, "Once transporters announce the hike in freight, we will also have to pass that onto customer."The opposition to the diesel hike, however, continues. On Friday, BJP and SAD workers staged protests in different parts of the city against the hike.

ALSO READ

18-yr-old missing since Saturday, body found at neighbour’s house

34-yr-old crushed under truck, loses life to traffic jam

‘Rail roko’ protest by 1984 Sikh riot victims hits passengers

KVM employees strike work, parents, kids inconvenienced