MP haulers may start stir in Jan

As many as 500 haulers (transporters) under the aegis of the Bhopal Transport Association of Bhopal are protesting against the proposed hike in truck insurance (third party) premium.

Following orders of the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority, insurance companies have hiked the insurance premium for trucks.

The association has threatened to launch a nationwide move against the proposed hike effective from January. However, the truck operators decided not to increase haulage despite the hike in the third party insurance premium.

"Expenses on a truck will touch now Rs 2.5 lakh per annum. This does not include fuel expenses. A truck operator pays Rs 3,700 on fitness and permit, 50 paise per km toll tax, Rs 10,000 on various challans by the Regional Transport Authorities. The insurance premium would make our job tougher," said Ashok Malpani, association head.