The Hindu Business Line : `Bird flu scare results in Rs 200-cr loss to truckers'

As the scare spread, many States denied the entry of chicken and eggs in their territory and consequently, 70-80 per cent of the total truck fleet became non-operational at the major poultry and hatchery trading centres.

New Delhi , Feb 22

WITH the recent bird flu outbreak in Maharashtra, truckers involved with the poultry and hatchery trade have registered a loss of Rs 150-200 crore during the last 4-5 days.

This is due to non-functioning of 75 per cent truck fleet dedicated to poultry and hatchery trade, according to a study conducted by the Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT).

The IFTRT is an autonomous research organisation that monitors the operations of the trucking industry.

As the scare spread in the country, many States denied the entry of chicken and eggs in their territory and consequently, 70-80 per cent of the total truck fleet became non-operational at the major poultry and hatchery trading centres, the study said.

A large number of loaded trucks remain stranded at various State borders, it added.

It has estimated that on a per day basis, while light truck owners are losing Rs 700-800 each, heavy truck owners are losing Rs 1,000-1,200 on account of fixed costs like auto loan instalments, insurance, road tax, and salary to drivers and helpers.

There are 1.7 lakh light and heavy trucks engaged in moving poultry products all over the country.

The IFTRT study stated that if the poultry industry does not come out of the shadow of the scare, the financial position of all these truck operators could be in serious jeopardy.

There are chances that heavy truck owners may move to general cargo business but light truck operators are in a fix as their vehicles are specially designed to ferry chicken birds, it added.

The worst-affected States are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu since they collectively produce 75 per cent of the national production of chickens and eggs.

More Stories on : Roadways | Poultry | Economy

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