Four-day old strike by IOC tanker lorries ends

Thiruvananthapuram: The four-day old indefinite agitation by a section of tanker lorries, demanding modification of tender conditions and hike in transport charges, ended Tuesday following talks initiated by the government.

The strike by lorries carrying fuel of IOC had badly affected movement of petroleum products in Kerala, leading to petrol pumps going dry in some parts of the state.

Even supply of aviation fuels from Irumpanam depot in Kochi to three international airports in the state had been hit due to the strike.

The meeting called by Transport minister A K Saseendran and Labour minister T P Ramakrishnan here with trade unions and IOC officials reached a consensus that the tender modifications would be kept in abeyance till December.

Saseendran said the strike has been called off and further discussions would be held later.

The IOC officials had also agreed to postpone tender proceedings, he told PTI.

Tanker lorries transporting fuel to retail outlets from Kochi and Kozhikode depots of IOC, had demanded a hike in fare from Rs 2.02 per km to Rs 3.50 per km, which was not agreeable to IOC, as it would result in escalation of fuel costs.

The strike began on Saturday last, following which the lorries did not collect fuel from Irumpanam in kochi and Kozhikode plants.