Speed Breakers

E way Bill: The Low Down

report on the website of the road and transport ministry claims that before the Goods and Services Tax, or GST, came into force, "a typical truck would spent 20 per cent of its run time at interstate check posts". It says that after GST, interstate check posts have been removed, due to which travel time of long haul trucks and other cargo vehicles has fallen at least one fifth. Transporters say while these claims may be a little exaggerated, transit time has indeed reduced. An analysis by the All India Motors Transport Congress, a body of transporters (cargo and passenger) representing 9.3 million truckers, has found that the time to cross state borders has come down by two five hours. Most states have done away with the requirement for physical transit pass, stamping, online transit and document checking at border check posts, it found.