Guwahati: Truck fares have increased by around 50 per cent in Assam as a result of a rise in fuel prices and spare parts in the past six months, leading to a financial crisis for small traders of the city.

Sources said from Guwahati to lower Assam towns like Nalbari, Barpeta, Tihu, Pathsala and Rampur, truck rental per metric tonne in June and July last year was Rs 400, which went up to Rs 450 in October and November. The rent is now Rs 700.

From Guwahati to Bongaigaon, Dhubri, Kokrajhar and Goalpara, truck rent per MT during June and July was Rs 550 to Rs 650, which went up to between Rs 650 and Rs 750 in October and November. It is now Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,100.

In Nagaon, Lanka, Hojai and Morigaon, truck rent during June and July was Rs 400, which went up to Rs 450 in October and November. It is now Rs 650 to Rs 700. In Upper Assam's Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Sivasagar, the rent in June and July was Rs 800 and Rs 850, and went up to Rs 900 during October and November. It is now Rs 1,200.

Along the north bank of the Brahmaputra, truck rent from Guwahati to Tezpur, Mangaldoi, Udalguri and Dhekiajuli was Rs 550 during June and July and went up to Rs 600 during October and November. It is now Rs 750. In places like Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Silapathar, the rent was Rs 950 to Rs 1,000 during June and went up to Rs 1,050. The current rent is Rs 1,300.

To places near the city like Chaigaon, Boko, Azara, Hajo and Sualkuchi, the rent was Rs 300 to Rs 400 during June and July. It went up to Rs 450 in October and is now around Rs 700.

The president of the All Assam Truck Drivers Association, Pratap Das, said, "In the past six months, fuel prices have been increasing rapidly, along with the prices of automobile parts. Many people gave up the truck business and many truck drivers and helpers became unemployed. After GST, prices of parts have increased. For example, prices of tyres have gone up to Rs 13,000 from Rs 12,000."

In the past six months, diesel prices have increased almost three times and is now Rs 70 per litre. So ultimately the truck rent has also increased."