Bengaluru: Freight transport across South India is likely to face major disruptions from August 1 after truck owners announced an indefinite strike over several unresolved demands. The South India Motor Transport Association (SIMA) said the protest would begin if the Centre and state governments fail to address their concerns before July 30. According to SIMA President G.R. Shanmugappa, nearly 24 lakh lorries across the southern states, including around seven lakh in Karnataka, are expected to participate in the strike, which could significantly impact the movement of goods and essential supplies.

One of the association’s primary concerns is the mandatory installation of GPS tracking devices and panic buttons in commercial vehicles. SIMA alleged that installation charges vary widely from state to state, ranging between Rs 3,000 and Rs 15,000 despite the equipment being identical. The association questioned why the rule, originally introduced to improve passenger safety after the 2012 Nirbhaya case, is being enforced on goods transport vehicles as well. It also accused authorities of failing to ensure uniform pricing and transparency in the implementation of the policy.

The association has also demanded the removal of interstate transport check-posts, pointing out that states such as Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have already abolished them to improve the smooth movement of freight. It urged Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to adopt similar measures, arguing that the existing checkpoints cause unnecessary delays, increase operational costs, and create logistical challenges for transporters. SIMA warned that unless governments initiate discussions and resolve these issues before the deadline, the proposed strike could disrupt supply chains across South India, affecting industries, businesses, and consumers.