Jamshedpur: The impact of the nationwide strike called by All India Transport Congress (AITC) on Friday was significantly less in the steel city on Saturday.

A large number of heavy vehicles that were stranded along the NH-33 and at Transport Nagar began plying within the city after police rounded up over two dozen transporters, including some key functionaries of Jamshedpur Transport Welfare Association (JTWA) from Dimna Chowk around 11.45pm on Friday.

Those detained, including JTWA secretary Akhilesh Kumar Yadav, were released around 4am. The bandh supporters were picked up for prevent trucks from entering the city. They did not hit the road on Saturday following stern police action, facilitating the movement of trucks, trailers and multi-axle vans.

Dimna Road, Marine Drive in Kadma and Sonari, Kharkai Link Road, Bhuiyandih-Agrico Road, Sakchi-Burmamines Road, Railway Station-Bistupur Road and Subernarekha Link Road were a bit congested.

Yadav said the strike lost its steam because of the arm-twisting measures undertaken by police. "Several transporters have resumed operations despite the ongoing strike. We have convened a meeting at Transport Nagar on Saturday evening where we will review the status of the strike and draw an action plan to make it effective," he said.

Adityapur Small Industries Association president Inder Agrawal said the stir had not affected industrial activity much.

"We had seen less number of trucks and trailers entering Adityapur industrial area on Friday, but the movement of heavy vehicles in the industrial estate is normal on Saturday," Agrawal said.

Over 2,000 trucks and trailers had stayed off roads on Friday in response to the strike called AITC to press for their six-point charter of demand on Friday.

The AITC has demanded a reduction in diesel prices, a uniform diesel price across the country, quarterly revision in prices, end of a toll barrier system, transparency in the revision of third-party insurance premium and addressing the complication related to e-way bill.