Transport unions embark on three day strike in Delhi-NCR over environment cess

New Delhi: Transport and taxi unions on Thursday embarked on a three-day strike in the Delhi-NCR in protest against a city government decision of environment cess on commercial vehicles.

The Delhi government has hiked the Environmental Compensation Charge (ECC) on commercial vehicles entering the national capital, targeting diesel trucks and other polluting carriers blamed for worsening air quality in the city.

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the apex body of truckers, private buses, taxi and maxi cab operators, took the decision in a meeting on Tuesday.

The strike till May 23 is against the Delhi government’s decision to hike the environment compensation cess on commercial vehicles.

According to a statement issued by the union, the strike opposes the “unjust and unfair policies imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), courts and the Delhi government on the transport sector.

Commercial vehicle drivers’ unions in Delhi have also extended support to the strike, demanding a hike in taxi and auto fares in view of the increasing fuel prices.

Anuj Kumar Rathore, vice-president of the Chaalak Shakti Union, said that due to the continuously increasing prices of CNG, petrol and diesel, middle-class drivers are struggling to support their families.

“Therefore, in coordination with other organisations of Delhi, the ‘Chaalak Shakti Union’ has called for a ‘chakka jam’ and appealed not to operate vehicles on May 21, 22 and 23,” he said.

The government has also mandated a 5 per cent annual hike every April to keep the deterrent effective over time.

The revised ECC rates, notified on Wednesday, are aimed at discouraging the entry of polluting commercial vehicles – particularly diesel-powered trucks, while promoting cleaner transport alternatives.

The move comes on the recommendation of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which proposed revising the charges to strengthen their deterrent effect.

Under the revised structure, the ECC for Category 2 vehicles, including light commercial vehicles and Category 3 two-axle trucks has been increased from Rs 1,400 to Rs 2,000. Charges for Category 4 three-axle trucks and Category 5 heavy trucks with four axles or more have risen from Rs 2,600 to Rs 4,000.