Fri Apr 11 12:12:43 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Demand Removal of Interstate Checkposts
**Salem, Tamil Nadu – April 11, 2025** – The State Lorry Owners Federation of Tamil Nadu (SLOFT) is demanding the removal of all 22 interstate checkposts within the state. Federation president C. Dhanaraj stated that these checkposts are unnecessary due to the online nature of modern transactions, citing the absence of such checkpoints in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.
SLOFT plans to stage a demonstration at a Gummidipoondi checkpost during the first week of May if their demands are not met. Further escalating pressure, Dhanaraj also called on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to fulfill his election promise of reducing diesel prices and to remove expired toll plazas. He also urged a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel.
In a related development, the federation announced an indefinite strike in Karnataka beginning April 14th, halting lorry operations to the neighboring state. This action is in protest against what Dhanaraj described as undue pressure from Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to apply new reflective stickers to lorries for fitness certificates.
First Piper 