Lorry owners demand resumption of operations at Sterlite Copper Factory

Namakkal lorry and trailer owners demand reopening of Sterlite Copper Factory, citing economic impact on locals and state.

The Namakkal Lorry Owners’ Association (NLOA) and Namakkal Trailer Owners’ Association (NTOA) staged a demonstration on Monday demanding the State Government to reopen the Sterlite Copper Factory in Thoothukudi.

More than 100 lorry drivers and owners, led by NLOA president K. Arul and NTOA president Chinnusamy, participated in the demonstration. They raised slogans to reopen the Sterlite Copper Factory that was closed in 2018. They claimed that the closure of the factory affected not only the livelihood of lorries but also the economy of the locals and the State.

Mr. Arul said that due to the closure of the factory, operation of over 1,000 lorries to the factory was affected, and more than 600 people in the lorry transport lost their jobs, and some lorry owners were now working as drivers. Around 6,500 lorries relied on the factory operation, with over 430 lorries needed on a daily basis to transport 9,000 metric tonnes of materials from the factory. Due to the closure, lorry owners were suffering over ₹10 crore loss per day. Small businesses like mechanics, tea shops, and other lorry-repairing workshops were also hit. The closure of the factory also affected the wider local economy, Mr. Arul added.

Demanding the State government look into the issue immediately, Mr. Arul said that misinformation and alleged external pressures may influence the closure of the factory. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to reopen the factory by forming an expert committee to oversee its operations. A special government order should be passed to ensure that the plant operated under stringent supervision to minimise the environmental impacts, he said.