Vegetable prices have almost doubled with vendors at Delhi's Adazpur wholesale vegetable market blaming the truckers' strike for supply shortages.

"There is a shortage of a few vegetables, if the strike continues. We will face more problems," claimed Rajinder Kumar, a wholesale vegetable seller.

Regular customers said prices have doubled. "We come here daily to buy vegetables. The rates have doubled because of the strike," said Akhilesh Kewat, a customer.

Most vegetable supplies enter the capital from neighbouring states through trucks.

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which represents around six million truckers' across the country, called for an indefinite strike on Monday, demanding reduction of diesel prices and certain tax concessions.

Tens of thousands of truckers have been off the roads after talks between the AIMTC and the Central Government broke down last weekend. The truckers have vowed to stay off the roads until their demands are met.

Strike enters 4th day

The nation-wide transporters strike entered the fourth day on Thursday with both truckers and government refusing to stand down from their stated positions.

"It is unfortunate that so far there is no response from the government. We simply cannot run our business in losses, so we are continuing the strike and we will continue till our demands are met," All India Motor Transport Congress President Charan Singh Lohara said.

The strike by transporters had acquired political colour with the CPI (M) asking the Centre on Wednesday to meet the truckers' demands, even as senior government officials said Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh could soon announce the stir illegal.

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