Truckers protest outside cement unit in Assam over slashed rates

Tensions flared outside the Dalmia Cement Unit in Lanka on Thursday as hundreds of truckers, under the banner of the Greater Lanka Truck Association, launched a massive protest against the recently slashed transportation rates.

The truckers are protesting the new rate of ₹360–₹370 per ton, a sharp drop from the earlier ₹580, which they say is unsustainable and threatens their livelihoods. Many local truck owners allege that the revised rates, fixed through an online bidding process, were implemented without transparency and were tailored to benefit larger transport agencies—marginalising those who have served the company loyally for years.

“This isn’t just a rate issue—it’s about our survival, our families, and the local economy,” said one protester. “The new system has pushed us to the brink.”

Also Read: Assam Governor inaugurates newly constructed academic building of North East Military School in Bijni

In response to the escalating situation, Hojai Deputy Commissioner Bidyut Bikash Bhagawati, ACS, has constituted a fact-finding committee. The committee has been tasked with reviewing the transparency of the bidding process, evaluating the fairness of the revised transportation rates, and examining the legitimacy of the truckers' demands. A report is expected within a week, based on which a resolution will be taken up.

The protest has become a symbolic stand for local rights and economic dignity, as truckers continue to demand a fair deal that ensures sustainability for small operators and respects years of service to the cement unit.