Coimbatore: The Coimbatore Goods Transport Association has announced that the freight charges will go up by 20 per cent with immediate effect. This decision was taken at a meeting of the association held on Tuesday.

It expressed shock over the petro products price rise at a time when economy has started improving. Already, the truck industry was in doldrums because of the loss of number of mandays but still paying road tax, insurance premium, salaries and vehicle maintenance. Now, the petrol/diesel price hike would not only push the operational costs up but also create demand for more trucks, when the economy revives. But, the owners would have to wait and watch before buying trucks. When truckers take decision and place orders, the truck manufacturers would take time to supply.

The gap between demand and supply factors would further push the cost of operation.

Hence, the Association urged the Government to rollback the hike in prices of petroleum products without further delay.

Meantime, the association resolved to unanimously hike the freight charges by 20 per cent from the existing rates to overcome the after effects of petroleum price hike.

Courtesy - Hindu