SHILLONG: With more than 80 coal-laden trucks being seized this week along the National Highway in Ri Bhoi district, the problem of illegal transportation of coal beyond the prescribed weight limit is assuming a severe dimension in the state.
Cases of illegal trucks plying on the highway are spiralling by the day and an immediate crackdown is called for.
On January 6, 7 and 8, the Executive Magistrate, along with police and officials of the Transport Department, conducted a mobile court on the National Highway in Ri Bhoi district and detected 83 coal-laden trucks plying without a challan.
In a similar incident, around 2.30 pm on January 7, four trucks stuffed with coal (AS-18-2843, AS-18C-329, ML-08-7901 & AS-25A-2597) fled while police were conducting vehicle checking at Thapa Darengchi in North Garo Hills.
However, three trucks were detained later, while one (AS-25A-2597) managed to flee.
On the same night, two coal-laden trucks – AS-01DD-3449 driven by Md Robigul Islam and AS-01DC-2533 driven by Md Jaffar Ali – were detained while their drivers were attempting to evade the weigh bridge at 13th Mile in Byrnihat.
Trucks are being seized every week with increasing frequency and cases of extortion reported, especially along the National Highway in Ri Bhoi.
However, even after several complaints from NGOs and the general public, police have failed to rein in illegal coal transport in the district.
“During a visit to the 13th Mile area any time of the day, one would witness huge crowds thronging both sides of the highway. The scene is unsightly: on one side, a serpentine row of coal-laden trucks and on the other, agents, brokers and negotiators busy helping the vehicles pass through weighbridges,” informs a resident of 13th Mile.
The trucks not only create traffic snarls but also pose a danger to pedestrians. Even the security personnel who stand guard at the checking areas are often spotted taking bribes from brokers, the locals allege.
The 13th Mile locality, once a serene spot, has now turned into a shady area, a hub of illegal business thronged by truckers and brokers.
