Bird flu: Truckers suffer Rs 200 cr loss

Truckers have been hit by the bird flu scare in various parts of the country with the restriction on movement of chicken causing losses of around Rs 150-200 crore (Rs 1.5 to 2 billion) over the last 4-5 days, according to a study of Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training.

"Ever since the bird flu scare has spread across the country and many states are denying entry of chicken and eggs in their territory, 70-80 per cent of the 1,70,000 truck fleet has become non-operational at the major poultry and hatchery trading centres," IFTRT, an autonomous research organisation, said.

The body, which carried out a survey over the last 5-6 days to examine the impact of bird flu on operations of trucking business dedicated to poultry/hatching trade, said currently there were 1,70,000 light and heavy trucks engaged in moving the poultry products all over the country.

Bird Flu hits India

It said as many as 1,20,000 light trucks with load capacity ranging 7.5-10 tonne gross load capacity are engaged in ferrying chicken birds in specially designed cargo body, with cages mounted on them to provide ventilation to the birds.

On the other hand, 16.2 tonne capacity heavy trucks are engaged in moving eggs in crates on closed body structure.