The All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) has issued an industry-wide advisory highlighting severe operational disruptions affecting road transport services across India and urged all logistics stakeholders to treat the current situation as a “Force Majeure-like” condition.
According to AITWA, the transport sector is facing unprecedented challenges due to a combination of factors, including severe diesel supply disruptions in several regions, acute driver shortages, escalating vehicle idling and operational delays, and supply-demand imbalances linked to the ongoing Middle East geopolitical crisis.
The association also pointed to delays caused by vehicles being held up at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) for fitness and compliance procedures, along with implementation challenges related to mandatory Vehicle Location Tracking Device (VLTD) requirements. AITWA stated that thousands of vehicles are unable to renew fitness certificates despite operators’ willingness to comply.
Further disruptions are expected from 21 May 2026 in the Mundra Port, Gandhidham, and Kutch regions, where local transport associations have reportedly announced operational actions amid worsening diesel shortages.
In the Delhi NCR region, freight movement is also likely to be impacted due to ongoing agitations and strike calls by transport associations, including the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), over increased NGT-related entry taxation and operational burdens on goods vehicles entering the capital region.
In view of these extraordinary circumstances, AITWA has requested manufacturers, exporters, importers, shipping lines, ports, CFS/ICDs, industrial units, and other logistics stakeholders to exercise flexibility regarding vehicle placement, transit schedules, and delivery commitments.
The association appealed to cargo owners and logistics users to avoid imposing penalties, blacklisting transporters, or enforcing adverse contractual actions arising from delays beyond operators’ control. It also called for collaborative efforts to maintain continuity in national supply chains.
“AITWA assures all stakeholders that transporters across India continue to work tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions and are making every possible effort to minimize disruptions and maintain movement of essential cargo,” the advisory stated.
The association urged authorities to intervene urgently to resolve diesel supply issues, VLTD implementation bottlenecks, and other operational constraints impacting freight movement across the country.
AITWA said the advisory was issued in the larger interest of safeguarding uninterrupted national trade, commerce, and supply chain stability.
