Illegal coal trucks ply at night in Ri Bhoi

SHILLONG: Though the state government had assured of tackling illegal transportation of coal in the state, the situation on the highways, especially in Ri Bhoi district, paints a different picture altogether as hundreds of coal trucks are seen plying at night.
A visit on the Guwahati-Shillong highway late night would reveal that hundreds of trucks carrying illegal coal ply on the road without any restriction at least once or twice a week.
Sources also confirmed that at least 500 trucks carrying coal ply at night and just a few days back, hundreds of trucks were seen plying on the road in batches.
The matter was revealed when two trucks carrying illegal coal overturned in Ri Bhoi recently.
While the trucks move, small cars also ply in-between which are believed to be of agents who provide escorts to the coal trucks.
Sources also said that usually, Rs 60,000-70,000 is given to the agents for clearing one truck carrying coal and taking it safety outside the jurisdiction of Meghalaya.
The trucks which do not carry coal openly are usually covered with tarpaulins and the police had earlier lamented that it is difficult for them to uncover the tarpaulins and check each truck as it will take more than 15-20 minutes and this will create traffic snarls and inconvenience to the public.
Earlier, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had asserted that the state government would not allow any illegal mining of coal or its transportation. He had also said the government will frame stringent laws in this regard.
The assertion came close on the heels of the National Green Tribunal recommending adoption of an electronic system to regulate movement of trucks carrying illegally mined coal.
Under the existing laws, those who indulge in illegal coal mining are booked under CrPC and are allowed to go after paying a fine, but now the Chief Minister maintained that the Government is looking to make stringent laws to deter people from carrying illegal mining of coal and its transportation.