Goemkapronn desk
PONDA: Amche Goencho Tempo and Lorry Owners Association (AGTLOA) at South Goa today demanded that government immediately solve the issues affecting their livelihood.
AGTLOA President Keval Chari, along with secretary Anurag Chari, Shrikant Chari, M K Naidu and Rahul Mahatumagde, addressing to media today, said they are involved in the transportation of goods by road and contributing to the economy of the country.
“However we are facing a financial crisis and are facing losses after the closure of three main National Highways for heavily loaded vehicles at Anmod Ghat by Karnataka, Chorla Ghat by Goa and Amboli Ghat by Maharashtra on account of various reasons such as repairs, widening etc. Anmod has been closed for heavy-loaded vehicles for the past four years,” Chari said.
He further said they were transporting vehicles on old freight rates when diesel was sold at Rs 60 to Rs 65 per litre, which now increased.
“Further, the rates of spare parts, oil, tyres etc., are also increased, but still their freight rates are not increased by respective governments,” he said.
He cited an example that If Goan heavy loaded vehicle want to transport goods to Belgaum via Anmod Ghat than it is a distance of around 140 km but since this route is closed for heavy vehicles the same distance they are forced to travel via Karwar, Yeallapur Hubli to Belgaum by covering a distance of around 360 km which is around 200 km extra.
Further, he said, they are covering this distance at old freight rates decided by respective state governments and suffering major losses.
He said memorandums are already submitted to respective Goa Government departments; however, there is no decision on their demands.
He even alleged that Goa Traffic Police are giving a step-motherly treatment by issuing fines while vehicles from outside the state face no action even though they carry an overload of goods.