A sweeping nationwide strike has paralysed India’s transport sector, driven by the All India Motor Transport Congress’s resistance to impending traffic laws. The contentious provision, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, imposes a staggering Rs.7 lakh fine and a 10-year jail term for hit-and-run incidents.
While the laws have yet to take effect, the preemptive strike has led to significant disruptions in states such as Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana.
Fuel distribution has been hampered, particularly in areas where oil tanker drivers are participating in the protest, raising concerns about potential shortages if the strike persists.
The strike’s focal point is the objection to the severe penalties outlined in the new laws, which transport unions argue could lead to undue harassment of drivers. Talks between the government and protesting unions are underway as the situation unfolds, with uncertainties lingering over the duration and broader impact of the nationwide strike.
