Head-load workers, locals block ISRO’s heavy, high-tech cargo in Kerala, demand money

Despite the high COVID-19 cases in Kerala (over 26,000 cases on Sunday and a TPR of over 17%) and the Sunday total lockdown restrictions, locals and those from politically affiliated trade unions had gathered in large numbers around the truck and created a ruckus. Unmindful of the fact that ISRO’s cargo was being wheeled in with special security, the locals halted the vehicle’s movement for nearly two hours. 

Thiruvananthapuram: In an embarrassing incident that took place in Kerala’s capital, locals and head-load workers blocked a crucial piece of high-tech, heavy equipment that was being transported for the Indian Space Research Organization.  The consignment weighing nearly 180tons was being carried on a special heavy-cargo hauler truck and moving towards ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram when the incident occurred. VSSC is India’s lead center for development of rockets and related technologies and is named after the Father of the Indian Space Programme.  Despite the high COVID-19 cases in Kerala (over 26,000 cases on Sunday and a TPR of over 17%) and the Sunday total lockdown restrictions, locals and those from politically affiliated trade unions had gathered in large numbers around the truck and created a ruckus. Unmindful of the fact that ISRO’s cargo was being wheeled in with special security, the locals halted the vehicle’s movement for nearly two hours.