Movement of essential goods hit by disruptions

Fewer trucks plying with supplies, demand rising quickly; Ministry order to allow movement not percolating down

- Lalatendu Mishra

With the country witnessing largescale disruptions in transportation network and supply chain on account of the COVID-19 spurred lockdown, the logistics sector is likely to face more hardships as current reserves are depleting and manufacturing is yet to pick up.

“The situation does not seem to be improving. Demand for movement of essentials goods is increasing frantically, but supply is not even close to matching it,” said Abhishek Gupta, MD, Prakash Parcel Services Ltd.

“We are most likely entering a phase where supply will be disrupted very soon. Instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs to allow trucks to operate has not percolated down yet in many places. Warehouses and factories, to unload trucks, have not been asked to open,” he said. “The driver count per 100 trucks is now below 15 as compared to 58 before the virus outbreak. Not more than 10% of trucks are running and drivers are finding ways to return home,” he said.