JOWAI: Rampant violations of the NGT ban on transportation of coal to neighbouring states continue in East Jaintia Hills.
On Monday night, ten coal-laden trucks coming from East Jaintia Hills were detected by West Jaintia Hills Police at Phramer and Lad-College, Jowai.
Eight trucks were detected at Phramer at 10 pm and two trucks were detected at Lad-College, Jowai at 11 pm.
The trucks ML04A- 5416 driven by Shanbor Shylla, ML05F- 3860 driven by Pailang Siangshai, AS01DD- 3381 driven by Ribor Siangshai, AS01FC- 1326 driven by Janki Pakem, AS01G- 7162 driven by Pasterly Marngar, ML04A- 7957 driven by Newcom Maragar, ML04A- 5670 driven by Ioowanphi Phawa and ML04B- 0508 driven by Warom Shylla were seized and the drivers were arrested.
However, the driver of two trucks – AS01CC-4432 and AS01BC-2743 – fled after abandoning their trucks on the road side.
West Jaintia Hills Police seized the coal and the trucks have been kept at Jowai Police Reserve. The arrested drivers were later released on bail.
“Illegal transportation of coal from East Jaintia Hills takes place from 10 pm,” sources informed.
There are allegations that East Jaintia Hills Police has done nothing with regards to implementation of the NGT order as it was witnessed that trucks were loading coal openly in several places like Soo-kilo, Ladrymbai, Byndihati and Kong-ong.
Coal truckers turning village road into national highway, villagere allege
Prominent residents of villages including Pasyih, Kyndongtuber, Nangbah, Nartiang, Mukhla and others have expressed their concern over the illegal plying of coal-laden trucks from the village road in order to avoid detection by police.
“These coal-laden trucks have turned our village road in to a national highway, particularly at night,” a former school teacher informed this scribe.
Some village elders also informed that coal-laden trucks were plying from the PMM Road (Pasyih) to connect Nangbah village via Kyndong-tuber to Nangbah and Mukhla (LNKT Road) to re-connect with NH-44.
“Truckers are diverting their route not only to avoid police checking but also to avoid payment at the Hynniewmer (7th Mile) weigh bridge. “The weigh bridge is charging Rs.2000 per truck,” sources claimed.
Sources also informed that on reaching Nartiang village through Nangbah the truckers have an option to divert to Nartiang Bypass to connect with the National Highway either at Umroi or at Mukhla.
Villagers and village elders of Pasyih, Kyndongtuber, Nangbah and Mukhla have strongly objected to such illegal plying of coal trucks through the village roads.
“The load capacity of these trucks and the strength of the road is highly mismatched and if these trucks are allowed to continue to ply, these roads will surely turn into muddy roads in no time,” said a village elders who did not want to be named.
The village elders have requested the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police and also the PWD Engineers to look into the matter seriously for the welfare of the people residing in the area.
