COVID-19: Government take steps to ensure trucks move across India seamlessly

Underlining the importance of uninterrupted supplies of essential goods as the country observes strict lockdown, the government is ensuring that trucks move across state borders seamlessly.

In the last three weeks, due to a strict nationwide lockdown, the broader economy, along with the transport and logistics sector come to a grinding halt. However, to keep the supply of essential government has allowed trucks carrying essential goods across state borders in a proactive step by the government. Yet, due to the unavailability of drivers, actions by authorities, and lack of workforce to load and unload trucks, the transport movement was facing hindrances.  

The government has taken serious note of this and again taking steps to ensure that trucks move freely across the country. After reviews of the situation on the ground and to reaffirm the government's stand on this, the secretary of the ministry of Home, Ajay Bhalla has written to state governments to directing them to follow lockdown guidelines in later and spirit.

The central government has announced immediate steps to ensure trucks and drivers don't face issues during the lockdown. The government considers that lack of movement of trucks carrying vital goods will create a shortage of essential commodities. To avoid such a the New Delhi has asked the state governments to follow the steps.

-Inter-state and intra-state movement of all trucks and other goods/carrier vehicles with one driver and one additional person is allowed as long as the driver is carrying valid documents. This is irrespective of the nature of the cargo, whether essential or otherwise. No further permits would be required.
-Empty trucks/ good carriers should be allowed to operate while on the way to pick up goods, or returning after completing a delivery. Hence, there is no cause to stop empty trucks provided they have valid documents.
-Local authorities should actively facilitate the movement of truck drivers and cleaners from their place of residence to the location of trucks.
-MSME engaged in the manufacturing of essential items like the wheat floor, pluses, and edible oil should be allowed to function freely.
-Warehouses/ cold storages should be allowed to function with allowance for to and from movement and without regard to the nature of the goods essential or otherwise freely. Warehouses of companies should be allowed to operate. 

In this unprecedented situation facing the nation, trucks are the lifeline, many truck owners and drivers are risking their vehicles and life in ensuring that the supply of essential commodities remain enough. Hopefully, the government's new guidelines and their strict enforcement will make the life of transporters and truck drivers life little easier.