AP Truck Owners Association General Secretary Eeswara Rao at a press conference in Vijayawada on Sunday. | Photo credit: KVS GIRI
The Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association (APLOA) on Sunday (December 7) announced that if the government does not heed their plea to roll back the hike in aptitude test fees, the movement of goods from railway sheds and yards across the state will be stopped from midnight on December 9.
Addressing a press conference here, the association’s general secretary YV Eeswara Rao said that following the notification (GSR 850 (E)) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on November 11, the state government has increased the vehicle and fitness test fees, adding to the financial woes of vehicle owners.
He said though the government had the option to make adjustments and offer relief to vehicle owners, it chose to go ahead with the implementation of the Centre’s notification without making any changes.
He said the fitness certification fee has been increased from ₹1,340 to ₹33,040 for heavy vehicles over 20 years old. In addition, there has also been a significant increase in the fee for vehicles older than 13 years.
Mr. Eeswara Rao explained that these old vehicles were usually bought by old drivers who used them for local operations like transporting goods from railway sheds and yards to earn a living. He said very few of the vehicles operating in the state were more than 15 years old. According to him, the implementation of the notification without any concessions would deprive many vehicle owners of their livelihood.
Mr. Rao said vehicle owners are already grappling with rising diesel prices, tolls, cost of spare parts and uneven tax structures. Owners of small trucks had difficulty staying afloat. The implementation of these standards only worsened their financial situation, he added.
The APLOA leader urged the government to consider the plight of vehicle owners and consider concessions for them.
Published – 07 Dec 2025 20:01 IST
