New Delhi: After a 10-day strike, truckers on April 24 resumed normal operations throughout the country and began clearing backlogs at ports and various industries.

"All trucks are back on road," a spokesperson of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which had given an indefinite nationwide strike call demanding stable fuel prices and fewer levies, said.

Many of the trucks were on roads late on April 23 night after the news of a deal being struck between the government and AIMTC spread.

AIMTC is the country's largest truckers union, with 2.7 million vehicles owners in its fold.

The strike had crippled the nation's delivery network and led to a surge in prices of fruits and vegetables.

The protest had also crippled the industry with two-wheeler maker Kinetic ceasing production at its plant, while Hero Honda and Indo Rama had warned that their production would have to be scaled down if the strike did not end soon.

The fear of a halt in production was also voiced by leading car makers Maruti and Hyundai.

"The priority would be to clear the backlog of goods at ports," the spokesperson said.

As per the agreement, retail prices of diesel would be slashed by about Re one per litre, while a committee would be set up to examine the quantum of toll to be charged from various types of transport vehicles on the National Highways.

The union's demands include putting an end to frequent hike in diesel prices, immunity from a planned value added tax (VAT), repeal of an order to scrap 15-year-old trucks and fixing of minimum freight rates.

PTI