Container lorries to join strike

CHENNAI: The transporters’ strike is likely to intensify with container cargo transporters also announcing their support to the agitation on Saturday.

Various organisations have called for speedy resolution of the issue. Tamil Nadu Trailer Owners’ Association, Port Contractors’ Welfare Association, Chennai Trailer Owners’ Association and Tamil Nadu Taurus Container Transport Owners’ Association would also join the strike from Monday, if the situation remains unresolved.

STRIKE WON’T HIT MILK SUPPLY: The Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited (Aavin), on Saturday assured its consumers that milk supply would not be affected even if milk truckers were to join the on going truckers agitation. In case of any difficulties, consumers can contact Aavin’s 24- hour consumer care and support cell on 1800 425 33 00 (toll free) or email: aavincomplaints@gmail.com

CITY GETS NORMAL OIL STOCKS: Most of the petrol pumps in the city received stocks by Saturday morning after the strike was called off by executives of the oil companies. The State government operated tankers to help ease the situation. Customers heaved a sigh of relief after they were left in the lurch for almost three days for lack of fuel. Long queues were witnessed in the bunks in most parts of the city. According to an IOC official, the situation would be back to normal in the city by Sunday.

IT’S BITTER PONGAL IN KOVAI: With only three days left for Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, the sweetening factor of the festival remains missing.

Traders and consumers are apprehensive that there will be an abnormal rise in price of sugarcane this time. Usually, truck loads of sugarcane reach Anna Market, MGR Market, Thiyagi Kumaran Market and Ukkadam Market in the city and also at the suburban markets a week before the festival. This year, the arrival is almost nil.

TRANSPORT WORKERS SHOW SUPPORT IN TIRUPUR: Extending support to the nationwide truckers’ strike, members of Tirupur unit of CITU- affiliated to All India Road Transport Workers Federation went on a strike here on Saturday.

District secretary of the association P S Mani said that the strike was not only for extending support to the striking truckers, but also to put pressure on the government to hold talks with the transporters and sort out their grievances.