SHILLONG: Commuters on the Jowai-Dawki road went through a harrowing time on Wednesday morning when several trucks, allegedly carrying coal, blocked the road creating a traffic nightmare.
Several commuters complained that they were stranded on the highway as “coal-laden trucks” took over the road.
Dolly Khonglah, the secretary of the Meghalaya International Exporters Chamber of Commerce, said she was stranded from 7am to 12.30pm while travelling to Shillong. “I was stuck near DMR check gate… there were international passengers who were walking luggage. It was after the police came at 12.30pm that the clog could be cleared,” she added.
When contacted, West Jaintia Hills SP Lakador Syiem said the road is witnessing huge traffic since large number of trucks is exporting coal to Bangladesh. He said while it is the job of the customs and BSF to see that trucks with proper documents go to Bangladesh, the local police is assisting in traffic situation, besides helping these agencies to see that trucks with genuine papers reach the border to export coal.
Khonglah said the congestion started around 8pm on Tuesday. “I cannot say exactly but there must have been around 50 trucks near my residence (in Tamabil). There is no problem if exporters want to export but this rush is because there is not much time left for the deadline to end. But do this at the cost of the public’s time? Why hassle commuters? They can move the court seeking extension of the deadline. The government should look into the matter (of trucks creating traffic hurdles) for public interest,” she added.
The Supreme Court has allowed mine dealers in Meghalaya to transport the already extracted coal till January 31.
Several trucks were also spotted parked on the Jowai-Amlarem road on Wednesday.
Sources said “some exporters’ body, after a meeting on Tuesday evening, took a decision on transportation” and it has the backing of local leaders with political links.
