TURA: Moving the South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner over the resumption of boulder export to Bangladesh, the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Ampati, has called for its immediate stop, saying that the move poses a threat to the local populace.
The GSU said the export to Bangladesh along State Highway No 12 from Garobadha to Mahendraganj via Ampati-Zikzak has violated all the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.
Questioning the green light given to the Mahendraganj Exporter Association, GSU president, Salman D Sangma, said, “COVID-19 cases are increasing in an alarming pace in the neighbouring country. And if these trucks are allowed to ply on the district’s roads, there is a high risk of spread of infection among the local populace. So, the boulder transport should be stopped immediately”.
Sangma added that the trucks are carrying loads well above the permitted limit which amounts to violation of the guidelines of the Supreme Court, damaging the newly-constructed Garobadha-Dalu via Ampati-Mahendraganj road.
“The Supreme Court in December, 2015, had passed a directive to curb overloading. The apex court, in its verdict, had directed the state governments to strictly implement the loading limits for trucks and passenger vehicles, but that directive is not being followed,” Sangma said.
Pointing on the guidelines issued with regard to interstate travel, Sangma alleged that boulder export to Bangladesh was going on in full swing.