New Delhi - More than four million Indian truckers began an indefinite strike on Wednesday to protest high taxes and rising fuel bills, officials said. 

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) which has the support of freight haulers with a fleet size of 4.8 million trucks is pushing for the abolishment of the toll tax and rationalization of duties on diesel. 

The soaring price of crude oil had forced the Indian government to reduce subsidies and hike prices. Transporters said they have been hit hard by oil prices which have shot up by 40 per cent since the beginning of the year. 

Talks between the AIMTC and the Road Transport Ministry collapsed Wednesday morning. 

"With this attitude of the government we have no option but to go on the indefinite strike. Transportation of all goods and essential items has been stopped," Charan Singh Lohara told reporters after the meeting. 

"The government should reduce the taxes to compensate for the rising fuel costs. The costs of diesel has hit our livelihoods and we are running huge losses," he added. 

Officials said the indefinite strike would disrupt supplies and industrial output and push up prices in the country which is already witnessing a 14-year high inflation rate of 11.4 per cent. 

Meanwhile, the country's Central Board of Excise and Customs said it was considering some relief measures for transporters. 

Last month, the India which imports 70 per cent of its crude oil, increased its fuel prices by 10 per cent owing to the rising cost of oil globally. 

The country saw widespread protests soon after the price hike, with some demonstrations turning violent as people damaged government vehicles and property. (dpa)