Gujarat on the boil as New Hit-and-Run Law Sparks Protests

Ahmedabad: A chorus of honking horns and burning tires became the soundtrack of Gujarat on Monday as truck drivers across the state rose in protest against the newly implemented penal law for hit-and-run cases. The law, which carries a hefty penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and a Rs 7 lakh fine, has ignited a firestorm of dissent, bringing traffic to a standstill on the National Highway (NH-48) and State Highways in major cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Navsari.

At the heart of the protest lies Kheralu-Vrindavan International Highway, where over 2,000 truck drivers have erected a barricade of burning tires and police barricades, effectively bringing the vital artery of commerce to its knees. The impact is far-reaching, with echoes of the agitation rippling through the supply chain.

The consequences extend beyond the streets. Anand, Kheda, and Mahisagar districts are facing a potential milk crisis as over 150 tanker drivers of Amul Dairy have joined the strike, jeopardizing the transport of 30 lakh liters of milk. Farmers fear the loss of their livelihood if the vital link to the dairy giant remains severed.

The protests aren’t confined to highways and milk routes. In Surat, the heart of Gujarat’s textile industry, BRTS and city buses have come to a grinding halt as drivers launch a three-day strike. The city, known for its efficient public transport, is now grappling with a transportation crisis, with commuters left stranded at bus stops.

The BRTS and City bus drivers in Surat have announced three-day strike to oppose the new hit-and-run law by the Central Government. Also, the drivers of the trucks and trailers hit the NH-48 near Surat and blocked the entire highway. There was a heavy traffic jam on both the sides of the highway up to 5 kilometers. The police teams were on the run to clear the highway.

“The new law is draconian,” roars Rajesh Marwadi, a BRTS driver in Surat, his voice hoarse from chanting slogans. “Seven lakhs for an accident? We’d rather sit at home than drive with this sword hanging over our heads!” His sentiment finds resonance across the state, with drivers fearing an impossible financial burden even in unintentional incidents.

Over 300 BRTS and City buses in the city have come to a grinding halt following the strike by the drivers on Monday.

The government, caught in the crossfire of economic disruption and public anger, is attempting to navigate a delicate course. While acknowledging the concerns of the drivers, officials are also emphasizing the need for stricter penalties to deter hit-and-run accidents, which claim countless lives each year.

But for the truck drivers and bus operators, the dialogue doesn’t seem enough. They demand a complete repeal of the law, viewing it as a death knell for their livelihoods. With each honking horn and burning tire, the pressure on the government intensifies, raising the question: can a just balance be struck between road safety and the lives of those who keep Gujarat’s wheels turning?