The State Lorry Owners Federation of Tamil Nadu (SLOFT) has declared an indefinite statewide strike beginning February 25, citing significant concerns over increased fitness certificate fees for lorries. SLOFT President C. Dhanaraj made the announcement following a meeting of the executive committee in Namakkal, where various pressing issues were discussed.
According to Dhanaraj, the Union Ministry of Road Transport issued new guidelines on November 11, 2025, resulting in a hike in fitness certificate fees effective December 17, 2025. This increase has raised alarm among the estimated 650,000 lorry owners across the state, as many face jeopardized livelihoods. Dhanaraj emphasized that despite the central government’s fee hike, the state had the opportunity to suspend the increase but failed to take further actions. Consequently, operations for around 100,000 lorries have come to a standstill for the past three months.
Dhanaraj asserted, “We demanded a reduction in fees, as this change affects our livelihoods significantly. If our concerns are not addressed promptly, we will not hesitate to proceed with the strike.” Starting at midnight on February 25, the SLOFT plans to involve all 6.5 lakh lorries in this statewide protest, signaling a vital disruption in transportation services.
The federation has expressed frustration over the lack of response from the government, urging them to initiate dialogue to resolve the issue. If no action is taken, the strike is set to continue indefinitely, impacting logistics and transportation throughout Tamil Nadu.
Published on February 17, 2026, at 11:14 PM IST, this situation highlights the ongoing tensions between transport stakeholders and governmental authorities regarding vehicle regulations and fees. As the strike approaches, stakeholders and the general public are left to brace for potential disruptions in essential transportation services across the state. The SLOFT’s demands emphasize the necessity for meaningful conversations to find a resolution, aiming to protect the livelihoods of lorry owners instead of allowing fees to become an insurmountable barrier to their operations.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/statewide-indefinite-lorry-strike-from-february-25/article70643189.ece
Category : Coimbatore
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-02-17 23:14:00
