In a major protest, transporters across the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand have begun their one-day road blockade (chakka jam) this morning, bringing commercial and passenger transport to a near standstill. The agitation, organised by the Garhwal Transport Federation, is aimed at pressing long-pending demands related to taxes, vehicle regulations, and transport permits.
The strike, which commenced at 6 am and is scheduled to continue until 5 pm today, has disrupted vehicular movement on key routes connecting Dehradun, Rishikesh, Tehri Garhwal and Pauri Garhwal. Hundreds of trucks, taxis, buses and maxis have remained parked at depots and highway intersections, while operators have set up demonstration points near major transport hubs.
Federation leaders say the blockade covers all goods and passenger operations on Garhwal routes, including the suspension of bus and taxi services. The unions have accused the state transport department of ignoring repeated requests for a formal written response to their seven-point charter of demands. Their issues include tax hikes of five per cent levied annually, delays in fitness centre approvals, equal regulatory treatment for out-of-state vehicles, revision of age-limit tax relief, and the relocation of fitness-centre operations from Lal Tappad to the ARTO office.
The decision to proceed with the strike was finalised at a meeting in Rishikesh on Tuesday, which included representatives from nine transport companies, truck unions, taxi-maxi operators and regional leaders such as Tehri Garhwal Motor Owners’ Union chairman Jitendra Negi and Truck Union Garhwal president Dinesh Bahuguna. They voted overwhelmingly in favour of the blockade after the department failed to provide written assurances.
Authorities confirmed that exempt services will include school buses, milk tankers and ambulances. However, normal passenger vehicles and freight transport are expected to face major disruption. The Dehradun and Tehri district administrations have deployed additional traffic personnel and bus-terminus staff to manage contingencies. Advisories have been issued warning commuters of potential delays and urging alternate travel arrangements.
Business owners, traders and small-scale suppliers dependent on daily freight movement voiced concern over the strike’s impact. Computer traders in Dehradun, construction materials suppliers in Srinagar and tourism-taxi operators in Rishikesh conceded that the disruption will affect deliveries and transport bookings. Unions, however, maintained the strike was unavoidable, citing “unsustainable economic conditions” due to rising fuel and maintenance costs, regulatory burdens and absence of government relief.
The state government appealed for calm and asked the transporters to withdraw the strike and resume negotiations. The Transport Secretary stated that a joint review committee has been constituted to examine the demands, process tax revision proposals and streamline fitness approvals. Officials emphasised that dialogue remains open and urged the unions not to derail public mobility.
Observers noted that the strike highlights deeper fiscal and regulatory tensions within Uttarakhand’s rugged terrain economy, where transport and logistics play a vital role in linking remote areas. Unless structural reforms follow, such shutdowns may become more frequent, affecting not only mobility but also supply chains and regional growth.
As the blockade continues throughout the day, district administrations are closely monitoring movement and providing updates via traffic control rooms. While no major law-and-order incidents have been reported, authorities remain vigilant given the heightened public sensitivities and economic stakes at play.
