Mumbai: Agitating truckers virtually split on April 24 over the strike issue, with those affiliated to Maharashtra Rajya Vahatuk Mahasangh continuing to be off the roads for the 25th day, while those of the state Truck and Transport Owners' Association withdrawing from the indefinite stir called by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

The transporters split over a High Court order, which had on April 24 rejected Mahasangh's plea to levy Rs 500 fine per day only on those polluting vehicles which plied on the roads and not on stationary ones. Apparently, the truckers could not arrive at a consensus over the strike issue and a section of them withdrew from the indefinite strike.

Maharashtra Truck and Transport Owners Association had withdrawn the strike on April 24 along with the All India Motor Transport Congress, while Mahasangh sources said they have not taken any decision about calling off the strike as they were still working out modalities over the court's decision on imposition of levy.

The truckers, affiliated to Mahasangh on April 24, met the state transport secretary Ajit Varde, but could not arrive at a solution.

PTI