Goods movement hit in Madurai as lorry strike enters Day 12

Madurai: Movement of essential commodities in the city remained disrupted as lorry owners and goods shed workers continued their strike for the 12th day, protesting against a new parking fee system at the Madurai railway goods shed.Tensions prevailed at the facility in Koodal Nagar, where members of the Mahatma Gandhi Lorry Owners and Drivers' Welfare Association gathered, demanding withdrawal of the parking fee tender introduced by Southern Railway. The strike, which began on March 23, was triggered after a private contractor was authorised to collect parking charges. Under the new system, heavy vehicles are charged Rs 20 per hour or Rs 5,000 per month. Protesters said the fee has added to their financial burden, forcing them to halt the transport of essential commodities such as rice, wheat and cement. They argued that charges are being levied even during mandatory waiting periods for loading and unloading within the railway's strict time windows. "We are already struggling with high diesel prices, insurance and rising wages," said Stalin, president of the association. "The railways impose penalties if we miss loading deadlines. Now, charging us to wait and do our job is pushing us to bear additional costs," he added. He also alleged that railway officials and the Railway Protection Force threatened to impose fines of Rs 1,000 per day on parked vehicles to pressure workers to call off the strike. The association has demanded immediate cancellation of the tender, insisting that the goods shed remain fee-free for vehicles involved in essential freight operations. A senior railway official said talks would be held soon to resolve the issue. "Our priority is to restore the movement of cargo, especially essential commodities like rice," the official said. MSID:: 130021340 413 |