CHENNAI: The strike called by the South Zone Motor Transporters’ Welfare Association (SZMTWA) from Thursday is likely to have little impact in Tamil Nadu with the Confederation of Surface Transport, TN, a major truckers union, has decided to refrain from it.With the powerful union not joining the strike, movement of heavy vehicles is likely to remain unaffected.“Business will be as usual for us. We have conveyed our decision to the SZMTWA. Besides, our members would be meeting the Chief Minister on Thursday,” an office-bearer of the confederation told Express on condition of anonymity.Of the five lakh trucks plying in the State, three lakh lorries with about 15 lakh crew are associated with the Confederation of Surface Transport, TN. The move would help contain the reported inflation in the prices of essential commodities as a fallout of the strike.Carriers, such as fuel tankers, vans and tipper lorries, are associated with them., said the officer bearer. “So, transportation will not be paralysed as far as TN is concerned. About 75 per cent of trucks will be on the road,” a member said, adding, “We have sought police protection for inter-state operations.” Interestingly, the decision has come as a new twist in the stir called by the SZMTWA, affiliated to the All India Motor Transport Congress across southern States and Maharashtra. It is to protest against the diesel price hike and toll free revision.On the reason for the decision, the member said, “From the beginning, we were not favouring the strike.” Senior transport officials also confirmed that some truckers were not participating in the strike.
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