Diesel prices rise by ₹3 per litre:All India Transporters Welfare Association says freight charges may increase by up to 3%

Following the rise in petrol and diesel prices, the All India Transporters Welfare Association has indicated a 2.5–3% hike in freight charges nationwide. AITWA National President Ashok Goyal said rising costs of diesel, tyres, tolls, lubricants, and DEF/urea used in BS-6 vehicles are putting pressure on transport companies, making a freight increase unavoidable. The hike could impact prices of vegetables, online deliveries, FMCG products, cement, and other daily-use goods. However, transporters in Bhopal are currently not in favour of raising fares. Bhopal Transport Welfare Association President Dinesh Chandwani said transporters want to support the government amid the current international situation and ongoing challenges. He added that discussions are underway in Delhi with representatives from the four metropolitan cities to avoid increasing freight charges. 700 transporters and daily movement of about 7,000 cargo vehicles Fare in the state is ₹34 to 35 per km
Dinesh Chandwani, President of the Bhopal Transport Welfare Association, told Bhaskar that while diesel, tyres, lubricants, and other operational costs have certainly increased, the organisation is currently trying to avoid increasing freight charges. A decision will only be made if operations become difficult. In Madhya Pradesh, the freight charge for trucks is currently 34 to 35 rupees per km. However, diesel rates in the state are higher compared to other states. In such a situation, when transporters go to states like Delhi, UP, Chhattisgarh, the cost of diesel is somewhat reduced from one side. Transporters say that they will continue to operate in this manner for now. More transportation of hardware and machinery from the city
About 700 transporters are active in Bhopal district. 5 to 7 thousand cargo vehicles move daily from the city, while the total vehicle movement remains between 10 to 25 thousand. The maximum transportation of grains takes place from Bhopal and its surroundings. Besides this, hardware, machinery, and agricultural products are supplied on a large scale. Direct impact on consumers is very low
Panjwani claimed that the 3% increase in freight charges has very little direct impact on the common consumer. Often, traders and stockists increase market prices, citing transportation costs. If an additional cost of Rs 500 is added to the Rs 15,000 freight charge on the Indore-Bhopal route, its impact on the customer is very minor. But middlemen inflate it. Discussions still ongoing at All India level: Continuous discussions are underway between Madhya Pradesh transporters and All India transport organisations, but no final decision has been made yet. Panjwani said that currently, the effort is to control costs as much as possible and not increase freight charges.