He added, “Earlier, truck operators used to make a couple of trips to Bangalore every month. At present, no truck load is available to Bangalore. The truck remains off the road for two-three weeks.”

According to Transportwala, some ten thousand people connected with the transport business have been badly hit by the crisis.

Besides, the industry has been facing serious problems for long. Various taxes including service tax, insurance charges, toll taxes, increased fuel charges and vehicle loan burdens are some of the prime reasons behind the present fall. Unless the government takes proper steps immediately, the industry will collapse soon, he said.

“The government should reduce fuel prices, service tax and TDS, besides completely removing toll taxes collected on highways across the country,” he said.