Mon Jan 06 12:39:32 UTC 2025: **Namakkal Lorry Owners Protest Sterlite Copper Factory Closure**
NAMAKKAL, Tamil Nadu – Over 100 lorry drivers and owners staged a demonstration in Namakkal on Monday, demanding the reopening of the Sterlite Copper Factory in Thoothukudi. The protest, organized by the Namakkal Lorry Owners’ Association (NLOA) and Namakkal Trailer Owners’ Association (NTOA), highlighted the significant economic impact of the factory’s 2018 closure.
According to NLOA president K. Arul, the closure has resulted in the loss of over 600 jobs in the lorry transport sector alone, with many lorry owners now forced to work as drivers. He estimates a daily loss of over ₹10 crore for lorry owners, impacting not only the transport industry but also related businesses like mechanics and repair shops. The factory’s closure also negatively affected the wider local economy, impacting approximately 6,500 lorries that relied on its operation.
The protesters claim that misinformation and external pressures contributed to the factory’s closure. They urged the Tamil Nadu government to form an expert committee to oversee the factory’s operations under strict environmental regulations, ensuring its reopening.
First Piper 