New Delhi :  The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has threatened  that all the 75 lakh trucks and 40 lakh buses in the nation would go on an indefinite strike from April 1 onwards if the  government failed to withdraw  hike in  diesel price  and  Third Party Insurance Premium.

The AIMTC, the apex body of transporters in the nation has said that it was deeply disappointed after several earlier rounds of talks with the government over its demands, vent in vain.

Other demands of the AIMTC include rollback of partial de-control of diesel prices and removal of anti-dumping duty on import of tyres.

“We would be forced to keep our 75 lakh trucks and 40 lakh buses off the roads if the government fails to address our demand by March 30. The nationwide indefinite strike, as per our estimates, would cost Rs. 2,200 crore per day to the economy,” AIMTC President Bal Malkit Singh told reporters in Delhi.

AIMTC Vice President Kultaran Singh Atwal said that the exorbitant hike in third party insurance premium, issues on toll, de-control of diesel prices and its increase in small doses, anti-dumping duty on import of tyres  were putting huge pressure on the transport sector.

Other demands of the AIMTC include industry status for the Road Transport sector, fixation of minimum freight rates for the sector, action against states indulging in illegal entry etc.