By N. Balasubramanian
The Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners Association (FOKLOA) brought together over 1,200 transporters from across the State at its Annual General Meeting held in Raichur on June 14, where members deliberated on several pressing issues affecting the trucking fraternity. Representatives from around 25-30 districts participated in the meeting, making it one of the largest gatherings of lorry owners in Karnataka this year.
The discussions centred on concerns over the steep increase in fitness renewal fees for older commercial vehicles, implementation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs), rising toll charges, alleged harassment by enforcement authorities, and the lack of promised infrastructure for truckers.
Sharp Increase in Fees Draws Opposition
One of the key issues raised during the meeting was the substantial increase in fees for commercial vehicles aged between 15 and 20 years. According to FOKLOA, the fee, which was earlier around Rs. 1,200, has now increased to nearly Rs. 30,000, placing a significant financial burden on vehicle owners.
Addressing the gathering, C. Naveen Reddy, President, Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners Association, said: “The increase from around Rs. 1,200 to nearly Rs. 30,000 is simply not sustainable for lorry owners. Such an abnormal rise places an unnecessary financial burden on transporters who are already operating under challenging market conditions.”
VLTD Implementation Under Scanner
The implementation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) also came under scrutiny during the meeting. FOKLOA questioned whether the Supreme Court’s directive, which referred to public service vehicles, was being correctly interpreted for goods transport vehicles.
The association also expressed concern over the cost of VLTD installation in Karnataka. While the State Government has reportedly prescribed a charge of around Rs. 7,500 for the fitment, transporters alleged that several vendors are charging between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 17,000 without issuing proper invoices.
“We are not against technology or safety measures. However, there must be clarity on the applicability of VLTD norms to goods carriers, and implementation should be transparent. If the prescribed cost is Rs. 7,500, transporters should not be forced to pay double that amount without even receiving a proper bill,” Naveen Reddy observed.
Tolls, Enforcement and Infrastructure
Members also voiced their dissatisfaction over recurring toll revisions. According to the association, toll charges continue to increase annually by 5-10%, while wayside amenities and supporting infrastructure for truck drivers remain inadequate.
The meeting also highlighted concerns regarding alleged harassment by enforcement officials. FOKLOA noted that although the Central Government had announced the removal of RTO check posts, the association claimed that the measure has not been fully implemented in Karnataka.
Another major issue discussed was the absence of dedicated truck terminals across the country. The association pointed out that despite earlier announcements regarding the development of nearly 1,000 truck terminals nationwide, little progress has been witnessed on the ground.
“Our members continue to pay higher tolls every year, yet the facilities available to truck drivers have seen very little improvement. Wayside amenities, modern truck terminals and streamlined enforcement are long-pending requirements that deserve immediate attention,” Naveen Reddy said.
The association resolved to continue engaging with both the State and Central Governments on these issues, while seeking policy interventions that would reduce operational costs, improve transparency in regulatory implementation and strengthen infrastructure support for the trucking industry.