NONGSTOIN: West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday informed that the transportation of coal from the district will start as soon as the coal operators/transporters comply with the NGT orders in relation to the payment of royalty including 10% being a separate fund to be kept under the ‘Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund’.
WKH Deputy Commissioner, S Kharlyngdoh also rolled out a few instructions to be followed by the concerned authorities and stakeholders for the smooth transportation of coal outside the state.
As per NGT orders all trucks from Shallang area shall exit from Athiabari after obtaining a weighment certificate from Mawpun weighbridge. Trucks transporting coal from Nongstoin shall also obtain a ‘weighment certificate’ from Mawpun weighbridge and thereafter shall follow the transportation road via Mawpun-Riangdo-Athiabari road.
He also said that the Transport department, the Directorate of Mineral Resources and the Taxation Department shall take all necessary actions to comply with the NGT and Government orders regarding transportation of coal from West Khasi Hills by obtaining a weighment certificate from the weighbridge operator at Mawpun and thereafter transport the consignment to the destination outside the state through Riangdo-Athiabari road.
The Superintendent of Police, West Khasi Hills shall place adequate security at the weighbridge site and at the counters of the DMR and Taxation department.
The DTO shall ensure complete compliance with the NGT orders and Government instruction regarding the operation of the weighbridge, submission of a weekly report to the Deputy Commissioner and offloading of excess load, if any.
Kharlyngdoh also said that to facilitate smooth passage of coal transporting trucks, entry of all type of vehicles from Athiabari will be permitted from 5 am to 8 am, and the exit from Mawpun-Riangdo to Athiabari will commence from 11.30 am to 2 am.
Trucks transporting coal shall limit the load within 9 metric tons as per the NGT/Supreme Court orders. As per Government notification, the operators at the weighbridge will charge Rs 200 for the service and for issuing of a weighment certificate, whereas the Deputy Commissioner will detail his Executive Magistrate on regular basis.
The agencies of the government shall not resort to unnecessary delay in clearing the traffic from the weighbridge site. The huge space in and around the weighbridge shall be used for storing off loaded coal from overloaded truck, if any, with the help of JCBs.
The cost of hiring JCB will be charged from the transporters who violate the law.
