In a bid to tackle the problems faced by commercial vehicle operators in Delhi, 57 transport associations / unions have formed the United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) under the aegis of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC). At a press conference, it was announced that UFTA is an affiliate body of AIMTC and will be actively taking on the challenges faced by the stakeholders in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Senior leaders of UFTA held a meeting with Mr. Bhim Wadhwa, AIMTC President, and sought support to this new body to tackle the pressing issues in Delhi / NCR pertaining to green tax levy on commercial vehicles, ban on 10-year-old diesel vehicles and non-registration of commercial vehicles, above 2000cc in Delhi, NCR. Additionally, it will be resolving other burning issues such as ban on diesel taxis in Delhi and the recent order to allow taxis with all-India tourist permit. Other problems will also be looked into, like aggregator menace in Delhi / NCR and the revised no-entry timings for trucks and mini trucks.
Mr. Wadhwa extended full support to UFTA and its endeavours in the interest of transport trade across all segments. While Mr. Harish Sabharwal has been appointed the Association Chairman, Mr. Kultaran Singh Atwal, Chairman, AIMTC, is as President. Mr. S.L. Gola is the General Secretary and Mr. Inder Jit Singh would be the convener of this association.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Harish Sabharwal, a well known personality in the field of Road Transport Sector, noted: “The idea for this new front was mooted just a week before its formation. Earlier, operators for taxis, three-wheelers, buses, etc., were running their individual association. We have now formed an umbrella association comprising the operators of all segments of commercial vehicles. Henceforth, UFTA will be working for the larger interests of all the stakeholders. As a first step, we will be taking up the common problems faced by them like insurance, Supreme Court intervention, etc.”
At the press conference, the UFTA members agreed to take on the challenges of commercial vehicle operators in Delhi / NCR.
It may be noted that the transport industry provides direct employment to 1.2 crore people and indirectly 10 crore skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled people in the country.
Serving the industry since last 80 years, AIMTC represents 75 lakh truckers and 40 lakh bus and tourist operators.