Demand for toll-free movement
Indefinite lorry strike from July 20
Bengaluru, July 18: Owners of the commercial goods lorries called for an indefinite strike from July 20 across the country demanding toll-free movement and reduction in insurance premium and bringing diesel under GST.
Speaking to reporters at the Press Club here on Wednesday, Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association president GR Shanmugappa said that despite submitting memorandums to the central government several times seeking fulfillment of their demands, no action was taken. This attitude of the government has forced the lorry owners to call for indefinite strike once again, he said.
The country has total 412 toll-gates and annually, the lorry owners have to pay Rs 1.2 lakh crore as toll fee. They were ready to pay the toll fee, but the payment method should be changed. Around one crore commercial vehicles were passing through toll-gates. They were ready to pay the 50 per cent of the toll fee in advance and they should be given free movement in all toll gates. This would help the government get thousands of crores revenue annually, he said.
If the government imposed just Re 1 cess per litre of diesel of commercial vehicle plying in the country, the government could have collected Rs 13,000 crore and if it was doubled, the cess revenue would be Rs 26,000 crore. With this, the government could make toll-free movement. Normally, the lorries would have to stop at least 15-20 minutes in tollgate. A lorry which travels from Bengaluru to New Delhi has to waste around 14 hours in tollgates due to which, the diesel was being wasted. Around Rs 84,000 crore was being wasted on diesel, vehicle repair and tollgate maintenance, he said.
All associations like Bus Owners Association, Vegetables Transportation Lorry Owners Association and others have extended their support to the indefinite strike. Except the service of essential commodities like medicines and milk, more than 90 lakh lorries in the country and 6 lakh lorries in the state would stay off the roads, he said.
Demands
- Goods vehicles should be made toll-free
- Diesel price should be brought under GST and adopt tri-monthly review system
- TDS should be cancelled and advance payment method should be introduced.
- Problem in the e-way bill system should be sorted out.
- Tourist vehicles and buses should be given national permits.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka Maritime Board announces plans for Mangaluru Water Metro Project
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Nov 4: After being endowed with multi connectivity facilities like three national highways, port and airport, Mangaluru city is now looking at a significant move towards sustainable urban mobility as the Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB) has announced plans for the Mangaluru Water Metro Project (MWMP), officials said on Monday.
This ambitious initiative aims to transform public transportation in the state, utilising National Waterways to connect areas along the Nethravathi (NW-74) and Gurupura (NW-43) rivers, they said.
Set to become India's second-largest water transport system after Kochi, the project promises an eco-friendly, economical and efficient mode of travel, the officials said.
According to officials, the MWMP will connect isolated communities from Bajal to Maravoor, enhancing accessibility and promoting the holistic development of these regions. The initiative is expected to boost local livelihoods and improve the standard of living through integrated transport networks.
According to the project report available with PTI, the MWMP will be rolled out in phases, with the initial stretch covering 30 kilometres along the Nethravathi and Gurupura river backwaters.
The priority route, beginning at Bajal on the Nethravathi and extending to the Maravoor Bridge on the Gurupura, will feature around 17 modern Metro stations.
Key locations such as Someshwara Temple, Ullal and the New Mangalore Port are included in the proposed route. State-of-the-art electric and diesel catamaran boats will be deployed, equipped with essential amenities to ensure a high standard of comfort and operational efficiency.
A comprehensive Feasibility Report (FR) will assess the project's viability, presenting a detailed cost-benefit analysis, market potential, operational strategies and environmental considerations.
"The report will objectively evaluate the project's merits and challenges, providing crucial information for decision-makers, stakeholders and investors," they said.
Officials in the port and fisheries subdivision told PTI that key areas of analysis has been based on assessing the potential to decongest old port areas, exploring the feasibility of cargo movement using Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) water metros, examining water level variations influenced by tidal flows, integration with feeder services to ensure seamless last-mile connectivity, demand forecasts over a 25-year period, based on extensive socio-economic research of usage and utility of the MWMP.
The project's Terms of Reference (ToR) emphasise sustainable development, involving thorough site identification, user demand assessments and environmental impact studies. Comprehensive surveys such as LIDAR mapping, bathymetric studies and topographical analysis will ensure accurate planning and implementation, the officials told.
Furthermore, technical collaborations with national institutes of repute will support studies on wave tranquillity, vessel height clearance and infrastructure recommendations for jetties and repair facilities, they said.
A detailed environmental monitoring programme will assess air and water quality, noise levels and aquatic biodiversity in line with Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) guidelines, the officials added.
The officials of the Maritime Board said the MWMP promises significant economic and environmental benefits, from easing traffic congestion to reducing air pollution. The project will also explore non-fare revenue streams and develop models to ensure financial sustainability.
A socio-economic impact assessment will measure the project's contribution to regional development, backed by projected revenue from passenger fares and ancillary services, a senior official said.
The Board also aims at championing cleaner and greener transportation and to set a precedent for sustainable urban mobility, positioning Mangaluru as a progressive city that leverages its waterways, he added.
