The recent Rs 2.50 per litre hike in diesel prices has resulted in an increase of 11-13 per cent in truck freight charges as against the weighted cost impact of 5-6 per cent. Heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) truck freight rates have gone up by 11-13 per cent as against 3-4 per cent weighted impact of diesel hike, a survey by Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) said.
The survey, carried out in 12 states, said that goods booking agencies/transport companies engaged in general cargo booking have indicated an increase of 15 to 20 per cent per quintal against 1.5 to two per cent impact on the gross freight rates charged by them from consignors. The door-to-door cargo delivery companies were yet to make any change in freight charges but have increased the hire charges in accordance with diesel price hike to the dedicated containerised trucks attached to them by small transport operators.
The weighted impact of latest diesel hike on light and medium commercial vehicles is around 3-4 per cent, but the truckers have hiked freight rate by 13-16 per cent, the survey said.
"The September 29 Rs 2.50 per litre diesel price hike should have 5-6 per cent escalation over the current freight rates but trucking centres have spontaneously reacted with 11 to 13 per cent rise," the survey said, adding last year the massive hike of Rs 3.61 per litre had resulted in 15 per cent freight hike.