Small truckers’ cost crunch threatens India’s retail freight backbone
Small operators moving nearly 70% of India’s domestic freight are being squeezed by diesel, toll, finance and compliance costs, flat freight rates and a 2.2 million-driver shortage—raising disruption and cost risks for retail supply chains.
Small Indian truck operators, which move nearly 70% of domestic freight, face rising fuel, toll, finance and compliance costs alongside stagnant freight rates and driver shortages, risking closures and disruption to retail supply chains.
Why this matters
The cost squeeze follows the Delhi-NCR transport strike of May 21-23, which threatened last-mile retail supply chains. Together, the signals point to widening freight reliability and cost pressure for retailers.
Retail-company signals are accelerating, up +1105400% QoQ.