The truck drivers’ protest against the new hit-and-run law, which started on Monday, January 1, 2024, came to an end on Tuesday evening after a meeting between Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and the representatives of All India Transport Congress (AITC). The AITC is the apex body of transporters in India, representing over 9.3 million trucks, buses and tankers.
The protest was triggered by the provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which will replace the Indian Penal Code. Under the new criminal law, drivers who cause serious road accidents due to negligent driving and run away without informing authorities face up to 10 years in prison and a fine. The AITC argued that this provision was unfair and harsh, as it would make drivers vulnerable to false accusations and harassment by the police and the public.
The protest disrupted the supply of essential goods and services across the country, especially fuel, food and medicines. Petrol pumps in several cities like Mumbai and Nagpur witnessed long queues as people came to fill up their vehicle tanks fearing shortage of fuel. The protest also affected the movement of passengers and goods on highways and railways.
The Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla intervened in the matter and invited the AITC representatives for a meeting in New Delhi at 7 PM on Tuesday. The meeting lasted for about two hours, during which Bhalla listened to the grievances and demands of the transporters. He assured them that the government was sensitive to their concerns and would consider making suitable amendments to the law. He also appealed to them to call off the protest and resume their services in the interest of the nation.
The AITC representatives agreed to end the protest after getting a positive response from the Home Secretary. They said that they were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and hoped that the government would fulfil its promise. They also thanked the Home Secretary for his intervention and cooperation.
The truck drivers’ protest was one of the biggest challenges faced by the Home Ministry in the new year. The swift and successful resolution of the issue by the Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla demonstrated his leadership and diplomatic skills. He managed to restore normalcy and peace in the country by engaging in a constructive dialogue with the transporters and addressing their issues. He also earned the respect and appreciation of the transport sector and the public for his timely and effective action.