COVID second wave hits transport sector hard

High diesel, toll prices and drop in economic acativity deals a body blow

The transport sector has been hit hard again with the second wave of COVID-19, which had already put the industry in deep crisis with the lockdown and drop in economic activity in 2020. The industry which was providing employment to thousands of people directly and indirectly had already been struggling in Andhra Pradesh with the steep hike in prices of diesel and toll fees. Transport charges reportedly remained at same level in spite of the additional burden of diesel and increased toll. For instance, a lorry owner charges nearly ₹18,000 to transport goods from Srikakulam to Vijayawada. The owner shardly makes a profit of ₹4, 000 per trip after deduction of all the expenditure, including wages of driver and cleaner. But each owner hardly gets eight to 10 bookings per month and the amount generated would be spent again for payment of EMI, maintenance of vehicles and insurance and others.