π Today’s Special Mock Test: Logistics, Transport Policy & Current Affairs (AP Lorry Owners’ Strike)
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π AP Lorry Owners’ Strike From Midnight: Goods Transport To Halt Over Steep Vehicle Fitness Test Fee Hike
December 9, 2025 | Andhra Pradesh Transport Strike | Vehicle Fitness Fees Hike | Economy & Livelihoods
By Transport, Economy & Policy Correspondent
Focus: Road transport, logistics, fuel policy, labour & small operators
Useful for: APPSC, Group‑II/III, Banking, SSC, Railways & other competitive exams
The Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners’ Association (APLOA) has announced that it will halt goods transport from railway goods sheds and shipyards across the State from midnight, December 9, protesting the sharp hike in vehicle fitness testing fees for commercial vehicles older than 13 years[web:127][web:131][web:132].
APLOA leaders warned that if the government does not reconsider the decision, **nearly 10,000 goods lorries may be taken off the roads**, impacting the movement of essential commodities from ports and railway yards to warehouses across Andhra Pradesh[web:132][web:134][web:139]. The association argues that the **Centre’s new fitness-fee slabs and the State’s decision to implement them without concession place an unfair and unsustainable burden on small and self‑employed lorry operators**, many of whom depend on ageing vehicles for their livelihood[web:127][web:131][web:136].
What Triggered The Strike?
π Central Notification: Massive Hike In Fitness Test Fees
- The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways issued notification GSR 850(E) revising testing and fitness fees for older transport vehicles across India[web:131][web:135].
- For heavy commercial vehicles, **fitness fee for vehicles older than 20 years jumped from around ₹1,340 to about ₹33,040 in AP**, a hike of nearly 25 times as implemented in the State, with similarly steep increases for vehicles above 13 years[web:127][web:131][web:136].
- The revised fee structure affects **trucks, lorries, buses and other goods/passenger vehicles**, with the steepest impact on heavy vehicles beyond 15–20 years of age[web:135][web:141].
π Why AP Lorry Owners Are Angry
- APLOA leaders say that **old vehicles are mostly owned by self‑employed drivers and small operators**, who handle local goods movement from railway sheds and shipyards to godowns and markets[web:127][web:131][web:136].
- They argue that owners are already under pressure from **high diesel prices, toll charges, spare‑parts costs and taxes**, and that such a steep fee hike “pushes them out of livelihood”[web:131][web:136].
- The association claims that **hundreds of vehicles have been standing idle since November 22** because operators simply cannot afford the revised fitness charges[web:127][web:136].
⚖️ State vs Centre: Who Can Reduce Fees?
- APLOA notes that while the notification is issued by the Centre, **the State government has the power to modify, relax or provide concessions** while implementing fee structures[web:127][web:131][web:142].
- The association is urging the Andhra Pradesh government to **retain the earlier fee structure** or provide relief for vehicles above 13 years, rather than enforcing the Centre’s slabs “as‑is”[web:127][web:131][web:136].
- Leaders have appealed to **Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu** to intervene immediately and stop what they call an “exorbitant and one‑sided” hike in fitness charges[web:139][web:145].
Strike Plan & Possible Impact
π From When & Where Will Lorries Stop?
- The association announced that **from midnight of December 9**, it will **halt the movement of goods lorries from railway goods sheds and shipyards** across Andhra Pradesh if no relief is announced[web:127][web:132][web:134].
- The first phase of the protest targets **internal cargo movement at ports and rakes**, which is crucial for moving bulk commodities like foodgrains, cement, coal, fertilisers and consumer goods[web:127][web:132].
- Leaders have warned that the agitation may be intensified later to cover **wider routes and general road cargo** if the government remains unmoved[web:134][web:142].
π Numbers Involved & Sectors Affected
- APLOA representatives said that **around 10,000 goods lorries** used for cargo movement from ports and railway sheds could be immobilised in the first wave if demands are not met[web:132][web:134][web:139].
- Separate estimates suggest that **tens of thousands of commercial vehicles in AP** fall into the 13+ years age category and are exposed to the new fee slabs[web:127][web:136][web:141].
- Disruption may be felt in **port‑linked industries, warehousing, retail supply chains, building materials, agriculture inputs and e‑commerce logistics**, especially if the protest stretches beyond a few days[web:127][web:132][web:136].
π§Ύ Key Demands Of AP Lorry Owners
- Roll back the steep fitness‑fee hike for commercial vehicles older than 13 years, or at least **restore earlier rates for small operators**[web:127][web:131][web:136].
- Clarify that **goods vehicles should not be forced to bear additional licensing/fitness document costs** beyond reasonable safety requirements[web:134].
- Recognise the **livelihood crisis of elderly, self‑employed drivers** who operate older lorries in local circuits[web:131][web:136][web:145].
Why The Fitness Test Fee Hike Hurts Small Operators
π° Cost Explosion For Old Vehicles
- Before the hike, a heavy vehicle fitness certificate could be obtained at around **₹1,340**; with the new slabs, the fee for vehicles above 20 years is around **₹33,040** in AP implementation[web:127][web:131][web:136].
- Nationally, heavy vehicles over 20 years now attract **fitness test fees up to ten times the earlier rates**, with similar multiples applied to other categories[web:135][web:141].
- For small operators earning thin margins, such **lump‑sum payments once a year can wipe out profits and force distress sale or scrapping** of vehicles[web:131][web:136].
π¨π§ Who Owns These Old Lorries?
- APLOA leaders explain that **most 15+ year‑old lorries are owned by elderly or self‑employed drivers**, not big fleet companies, and are confined to local movements rather than long‑haul routes[web:127][web:131][web:136].
- Such drivers typically **operate in and around railway goods sheds, ports and industrial areas**, making multiple short trips daily to sustain their families[web:127][web:136].
- Implementing the new fee structure without concession, they argue, could **push many of these drivers out of work**, adding to unemployment and social stress[web:131][web:136][web:145].
⚙️ Safety vs Affordability: Policy Dilemma
- The Centre’s stated objective is to **discourage very old, polluting and unsafe vehicles** from staying on the road by making fitness compliance more stringent and costly[web:135][web:141].
- Lorry owners accept the need for safety checks but insist that **sudden, sharp hikes without transition support, scrappage incentives or special slabs for small operators are unfair**[web:131][web:136].
- This turns the issue into a classic **“safety vs livelihood” debate**, highly relevant for governance, economy and policy‑based exam questions[web:127][web:131].
Exam Corner: Important For APPSC, Banking & SSC
Concepts & Keywords To Remember
- Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners’ Association (APLOA) – key stakeholders in State road freight policy[web:127][web:131].
- Vehicle Fitness Test Fees – annual/periodic fee paid for certifying roadworthiness of commercial vehicles; recently hiked for older vehicles[web:135][web:141].
- Small Road Transport Operators – self‑employed lorry owners, single‑truck operators; sensitive to diesel, tolls, taxes and regulatory costs[web:131][web:136].
Sample MCQs (Practice)
- From which date has the AP Lorry Owners’ Association threatened to halt goods transport from railway goods sheds and shipyards? (A) December 7, 2025 (B) December 8, 2025 (C) Midnight of December 9, 2025 (D) January 1, 2026
- The strike call by AP lorry owners primarily protests which policy change? (A) Diesel price deregulation (B) Hike in vehicle fitness test fees for 13+ year vehicles (C) New toll plazas (D) GST on freight
- Which ministry issued notification GSR 850(E) related to revised testing and fitness fees? (A) Ministry of Finance (B) Ministry of Heavy Industries (C) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (D) NITI Aayog
Possible Mains/Descriptive Question
- “The steep hike in vehicle fitness fees seeks to improve road safety but risks crippling small transport operators.” Discuss with reference to the Andhra Pradesh lorry owners’ strike of December 2025.
π Key Takeaway For Students:
- Connect this strike with topics like unorganised sector, federalism (Centre–State powers), transport economics, road safety, and MSME challenges[web:127][web:131][web:136].
- Track whether the AP government announces **concessions, phased implementation or negotiations** with APLOA in coming days, as this can appear in current affairs questions[web:127][web:134].
— End of Report —
Sources (News & Policy Updates):
- The Hindu, Times of India, Deccan Chronicle, The Hans India, Sakshi, NTV/AP Telugu, News18 Telugu[web:127][web:131][web:132][web:134][web:136][web:138][web:139][web:142][web:145].
- NDTV Auto explainer on national vehicle fitness fee hike[web:135][web:141].
