New Delhi, Aug 28 (IANS): The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) on Friday announced it will go on a nationwide indefinite strike from October 1, as the government did not respond to their demand to revoke TDS and toll charges.

"We had a meeting with Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari yesterday (Thursday) who refused to talk on the issues (including removal of toll charge)," Bhim Wadhwa, the president of the apex transporters' body, told IANS.

He said the transporters body, representing over 80 lakh vehicles across the country, had given a deadline of August 25 to the Centre to address their issues. But the demand appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

"Eventually, there is no option left, except going on an indefinite nationwide strike from October 1," Wadhwa said.

Wadhwa said the government would lose about Rs.1,700 crore per day on account of the countrywide strike, but clarifying that the transporters' body was not against the government revenues through toll.

Wadhwa also demanded revocation of the TDS imposed on the transport sector from July 1.