AGARTALA, April 29 (TIWN): Along with the whole country Tripura protesting against the Road Transport and Safety Bill 2014, all road transport workers will reportedly be on a strike on Thursday, 30 April.

Various trade unions, including All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and others have extended their support for the 24-hour-long strike, starting 12 am on Thursday.

It is said that private buses, mini buses, lorries and trucks will be off the road on Thursday. Appealing to all transporters to observe a total strike on April 30 to demand withdrawal of the proposed Act, they said that the proposed new Act makes it imperative for transport operators including autos, taxis, mini buses, lorries and other vehicles to install GPS, compulsory wearing of seat belts by all the occupants of these vehicles. All these mean, huge investment and sale of old vehicles. Small operators and individual driver ­cum ­owners will not be in a position to comply with these rules and they would be thrown out of business. On the other hand in support of the strike announced its support to nation­wide strike called by transporters on April 30.

The recent Road Transport and Safety Bill was announced after the death of Union Minister Gopinath Munde, who passed away following a road accident in Delhi in 2014.

According to the new Bill, a person can only hold one driving licence to avoid duplication.

Penalty point system and fines will be seen in driver's record for a period of three years.

If a driver gets a total of 12 penallty points, his license will be suspended for one year.