Transport organizations and relevant trade unions across the national capital have threatened to go on a three-day strike starting May 21, citing rising fuel prices in Delhi and the Delhi BJP government’s increase in environmental compensation (ECC) charges on commercial vehicles, which the unions have termed as “unfair”.
No commercial vehicle will operate in the capital from May 21 to 23, the All India Motor and Goods Transport Federation, the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and others said.
However, the unions added that essential commodity vehicles will remain exempt from the blockade to avoid any disruption in the supply of essential goods.
Why strike?
As HT reported earlier, the metropolitan transport bodies have announced the strike over the “unequal and unjust” ECC hikes. Besides, the rise in gasoline and diesel prices, which have been linked to the US-Iran war in West Asia, in the capital has also become a source of great concern.
In a statement issued by the AIMTC, at least 68 unions across Delhi and the National Capital Region (Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad) will participate in the strike.
AIMTC is the apex body for truck drivers, private buses, taxis and taxi operators.
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“Randomly raise interest rates”
“The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Delhi government have indiscriminately imposed toll hike on all Delhi-bound goods vehicles, instead of deterring transport vehicles using Delhi as a corridor in line with the original intent of the Supreme Court order and diverting them to the Eastern and Western Expressways,” the statement issued by the authority said.
The unions also condemned the ban on entry of non-BS-IV registered commercial goods vehicles in Delhi.
In their call for the blockade, the AIMTC said that “these measures have caused serious social and economic consequences,” which in turn have “severely impacted the transportation sector and the livelihoods of operators.”
Main demands from transport bodies
Transport authorities have put forward four main demands. This is –
- Withdrawal of the increase imposed on all goods vehicles heading to Delhi
- Immediately roll back the proposed ban on entry of BS-IV registered commercial goods vehicles outside Delhi with effect from November 1, 2026
- cess restriction (ECC) only for those vehicles passing through Delhi.
- BS-VI vehicles carrying essential goods and empty vehicles are exempt from ECC tax
What measures has been taken by the Delhi government?
Last month, the Delhi government had increased the environmental compensation (ECC) duty on commercial vehicles by over 50 per cent and decided to implement a 5 per cent hike in the annual fee.
As of April 19, duties on light commercial vehicles and two-axle trucks have been increased $1400 L $2000, while fees for three-axle trucks and heavy vehicles were raised to $4000 of $2600.
Citing reports, AIMTC added that the government has collected $1,753.2 crore of ECC charges till December 4, 2025. Of this amount only $Rs 781.4 crore has been spent, while the rest has been spent $An amount of Rs 971.8 crore, i.e. 55.4% of the amount, remains unutilised.
Along with the ECC increase, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also announced a ban on the entry of all inter-state BS-IV commercial goods vehicles from November 1 as part of the pollution mitigation plan. CNG, electric and BS-VI compliant vehicles are exempt.
Nitin Gadkari hopes for a ‘quick solution’
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari hopes for a quick solution. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Gadkari said: “I have discussed this issue (tehsil cess) with CM Gupta. We will find a solution to this issue soon.”
(With inputs from HT’s Snehil Sinha, news agency PTI)
