Thane: A delegation of goods transport industry representatives from Mumbai and the metropolitan region met Thane’s Deputy Police Commissioner Pankaj Shirsat on Friday, to express strong objections to recent traffic restrictions imposed on goods vehicles within the city and formulate a viable solution.The transporters claimed the decision was taken without consulting them or analysing the impact on the industry. They said it was severely affecting their operations and warned it could lead to increased transportation costs, eventually hitting consumers with price hikes on essential goods.Jitendra Parikh, vice president of the Bombay Goods Transport Association, one of the members at the meet, highlighted the growing challenges. “Road conditions in Thane are poor, and we spend heavily on vehicle maintenance. Previously, our turnaround time was quick, but now, our trucks are stuck for up to 18 hours to cover just 10-15 kilometres. This will increase our expenses, including salaries, without any tax or toll compensation. We may be forced to raise transport costs, which will be passed on to the public,” he said.Another transporter, Bal Malkit Singh, expressed fears of delays potent to disrupt supply chains ahead of the upcoming festive season. “Prolonged restrictions and damaged roads risk shortages in markets at a critical time,” he warned.The delegation urged authorities to reconsider the restrictions by either allowing heavy vehicles during non-peak hours or dedicating a separate lane for 24/7 movement of goods trucks while crossing city limits. “This way, we can ensure goods movement is continuous without interfering with the city traffic in the region,” he said.When contacted, DCP Shirsat acknowledged the meeting but stated that any final decision would require consultation with senior officials and DCM Eknath Shinde.
