DC warns against diversion of coal laden trucks

SHILLONG: The District Magistrate, Ri Bhoi, has imposed a prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting all unauthorized persons, middlemen along with their private vehicles from stationing and loitering in and around the Umling Integrated Check gate for diversion of coal trucks away from the designated route of National Highway 40.
She said that diversion of coal trucks without mandatory payment of sales tax to the authorities and causing loss of revenue to the government is illegal and any violators will be prosecuted under the relevant section of the law.
The DM has imposed another prohibitory order under against plying of coal laden trucks through Nongpoh- Umden Road, Umling- Lailad Road, Lailad- 20th Mer Road, Umsning- Jagiroad and Nongpoh- Nartiang Road in the district.
In another other, the DM prohibited all construction and operation of the makeshift stalls all along the National Highway 40 for illicit stockpiling as well as sale of coal which has been offloaded from coal laden trucks en route the integrated Check gate at Umling.
The DM also prohibited parking of commercial vehicles like coal laden trucks on the ground of petrol pumps within the district and also parking of more than two heavy vehicles in one place on the roadside of NH 40 from Pahamrioh to Umling.
According to the DM, this order has been issued due to the unregulated parking of heavy vehicles like coal laden trucks all along the National Highway 40 especially in the petrol pumps or service centres within the district which may result in space constraints and congestion of the highway.
Moreover the petrol pumps or service centres have set up parking facilities to commercial vehicles without any permit from the competent authority.