VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association has appealed to the state government to issue counter-signature permits for transport vehicles carrying goods between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Association general secretary Y.V. Eswara Rao and other representatives met transport secretary Kona Sasidhar here on Tuesday and submitted a representation seeking the intervention of both state governments on the issue.

The transporters said vehicles registered in AP were not allowed to enter Telangana without a national permit, which costs Rs 16,500 a year. They sought counter-signature permits for an annual fee of Rs 5,000 for each vehicle, with similar permits to be issued by Telangana for vehicles entering AP.

They said national permits were not viable for vehicles hired for short-distance trips of 100 to 200 km. Vehicles that are 15 years old also do not get national permits, while obtaining temporary permits for a few days is expensive.

Eswara Rao said issuing counter-signature permits would ease the movement of goods vehicles between the two states and also generate revenue through permit fees.