Mangaluru: Coal truckers in Karnataka will launch an indefinite strike from September 25 to demand a hike in freight charges and to protest against the illegal transportation of coal by trucks from other states.

The strike has been called by the Dakshina Kannada District Truck Owners' Association, which represents over 2,000 truck owners. 

The association's president, Sushanth Shetty, said that the truckers are facing financial hardship due to the low freight charges and the illegal competition from trucks from other states.

Shetty said that the truckers are demanding a base freight rate of Rs 1,300 per metric tonne from New Mangalore Port to Koppal and Rs 1,400 per metric tonne from New Mangalore Port to Ballari. He also said that the truckers are demanding that the government implement the Transport Department's order issued in March to fix rent based on kilometers of travel.

The state government has appealed to the truckers to call off their strike. The government has also said that it is willing to hold talks with the truckers to address their grievances. However, the truckers have said that they will not call off their strike until their demands are met.

The indefinite strike by coal truckers in Karnataka is a major concern for the state government and the industry. The government needs to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and prevent a prolonged disruption of coal supply.