New Delhi, September 19: A major section of transporters in the national capital, including those catering to both goods and passenger segment, are likely to stay off the roads today as the largest transport body has called a strike. The one-day protest call has been issued by the United  Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) to protest against the steep fines announced under the amended Motor Vehicles Act 2019. At Rs 2.05 Lakh, Delhi Truck Driver Hit With New Record-High Challan Under Amended MVA.

The UFTA has nearly 41 unions of auto-rickshaw, taxi, Ola, Uber and private bus drivers linked to it, apart from the heavy good transporters. Since large vehicles are expected to widely adhere to the protest call, many schools in Delhi have announced an holiday for the students.

Messages have been sent by the school administration to the parents, informing that the respective educational institutes will remain shut on Thursday in view of the transport strike.

UFTA general secretary Shyam Lal Gola said the strike may cause inconvenience to the common people, but it is necessitated as both the Centre as well as the Delhi government have not paid heed to their plight.

"We have been seeking redressal of our grievances related to the new MV Act from both the centre and the Delhi government for the last 15 days, but no solution is there is sight forcing us to go on one-day strike," Gola was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

"The exorbitant and unviable penalties imposed through the amended Motor Vehicle Act 2019 has increased the corruption, high handedness and harassment of vehicle owners and drivers," he added.

The amended MVA has exponentially increased fine on traffic rule violators. Those facing the toughest brunt of the law are heavy truck drivers, who are being massively fined if found driving unfit vehicles or those without the documents. The highest fine so far has been levied on a truck driver in Delhi, who was asked to pay Rs 2.05 lakh after being charged with 10 offences.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has defended the amended MVA, claiming that the law could improve the traffic situation in the national capital, apart from saving lives as the quantum of fines have been raised. The point was reiterated by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, claiming that a rigorous law is needed to prevent the massive number of fatalities due to road accidents.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2019 11:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).