Transporters say Maha govt's vaccine and test mandates will hit supply chain

Waiting at the borders without food, water and security would be yet another challenge for drivers, staff, says an AIMTC member

The Maharashtra government's new restrictions mandating double vaccination or a negative report of RT-CPR test conducted 72 hours prior to arrival in the state will hit the supply chain, truckers and the transporters have said. The government order specified that the new rules applied to air, train and road travellers, including drivers, cleaners and other support staff.

"The supplies will be affected, and to avoid that, some exemptions should be given to the drivers who have taken the first vaccine shot or the gap between the two doses should be reduced. These measures, if applied, would ease the pressure on the transport sector and the drivers won't lose their livelihood. The government must also make arrangements near the borders to administer the second dose to drivers and the support staff," said Bal Malkit Singh, core committee chairman and former president, All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

He added, "Checking of vaccine certificates and RT-PCR test reports at the borders would lead to delays, and the administration should ensure speedy passage of vehicles. In case of a delay, waiting at the borders without food, water and security is yet another challenge for them." Besides, it is impractical to expect the drivers and cleaners to search for places and get tested for Covid-19, Singh said.

Moreover, Singh said, a vehicle carrying goods or cargo from Delhi reaches Maharashtra only after 72 hours, past the validity of a Covid-19 test report. Similarly, all commercial vehicles heading to south India from Rajasthan or Gujarat pass through Maharashtra, and it is impractical to get the RT-PCR test done en route.