Lorry freight charges to go up by 25% from June 15 amid diesel price hike

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The State Lorry Owners’ Federation has decided to increase lorry freight charges by 25% from June 15, citing the sharp rise in diesel prices, which it attributed to the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, and the consequent increase in operating costs.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the federation’s executive committee meeting in Namakkal that was presided over by the federation president C. Dhanraj on Wednesday (June 10, 2026).

One of the resolutions noted that diesel prices had increased by up to ₹8 a litre in recent weeks, placing an additional financial burden on lorry owners and forcing them to revise freight rates. The increase in freight charges had become unavoidable in view of rising fuel costs and other operational expenses. It also urged the Union government to take steps to regulate diesel prices and provide relief to the transport sector.

The federation opposed the mandatory installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) in lorries, contending that the system was primarily intended for passenger vehicles and would impose an unnecessary financial burden on truck operators.

Expressing concern over the increase in fitness certificate fees for vehicles older than 15 years, the federation said the higher charges would adversely affect small transport operators who depend on a limited number of vehicles for their livelihood. It urged the authorities to withdraw the revised fee structure.

The executive committee also called upon the Transport Department to strengthen enforcement against overloading of goods vehicles and conduct regular inspections on national highways to curb the practice.