Gujarat rains: Transport industry loses Rs 30 crore

Incessant rains and the subsequent damage to major roads have caused a loss of over Rs 30 crore in the last one week to the transport industry in Gujarat.

"There are at least 4,000 trucks stuck in south Gujarat. Out of which, at least 2,000 trucks are located in the areas from where it is not possible to move soon. Business of at least 25,000 trucks have been affected in the last week," said P M Vaghela, vice president, Akhil Gujarat Truck Transport Association.

"We are not able to lift goods. Movement is not possible towards south India, Punjab and Hariyana in north as rivers are overflowing at many places," said Madan Jain, president, V V Nagar and Anand Transport Association.

The stretch between Vadodara and Bharuch is one of the worst-affected on the National Highway. The road is full of potholes and driving down this part of the National Highway-8 is very difficult.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is yet to take up repair of the damaged roads and this has caused several accidents during the last three days since traffic started moving towards Mumbai.

The stretch between Surat and Vapi is also no better and transporters have complained of heavy damage to their vehicles.

"A truck owner will incur a loss of Rs 1,000 if the truck does not move commercially for a day. That is due to salaries of driver and cleaner, interest and insurance and other operating costs apart from the opportunity cost due to loss of business of a day," said Ramprakash Singh, manager of Time and Space Haulers.

The transport industry is already facing problems due to rise in fuel prices and increasing competition.

There are many trucks which are stuck on road which were carrying goods as per the rates fixed before the price of diesel increased, a transport agent said.

The Ahmedabad-Rajkot and Junagadh-Rajkot roads have been damaged.

"We are not sure when the roads will be cleared for movement. The goods in many trucks have started to spoil. Owners have insurance but there are many conditions to comply to claim the insurance so practically it will be very difficult to get the compensation," said a driver stuck on the National Highway near Vadodara.

Drivers and cleaners of trucks are not even getting pure drinking water and food in some areas.