Truck drivers stranded in Ri Bhoi tell ordeals

SHILLONG, June 6: A group of truck drivers who were en route to Meghalaya are reportedly bearing the brunt of the pandemic-induced lockdown as they have been stranded in Ri Bhoi for the last few days.
These truck drivers, who were transporting steel tower structure into the state from Raipur in Chhattisgarh, have received no assistance from any front.
Satish Kumar, who has been staying put near the Umiam Flyover, said that he and the other truckers came from Raipur to deliver the steel tower structures at Mawngap.
However, they were stopped by the cops in Ri Bhoi who told them that the bridge is cracked and only vehicles carrying a load of 20 metric tonnes and less would be allowed to enter Shillong. “We had paid Rs 4,000 at the MVI weighbridge somewhere near Byrnihat and now police here is not letting us proceed further and we are stuck here since Wednesday,” Kumar said.
Other truckers also joined in and said that they were without food for two days but they managed to get water from a certain location which is at a distance of 2-3 kilometres.
“We are suffering here and we were searching for media only to highlight our plight. We have realised that there is no one to speak for labour class people like me. Cops only ask for money,” Kumar said.
Six trucks were seen parked near the flyover.
The drivers also said that they spoke to their transporter about their problems and were assured that arrangements would be made for their movement to Mawngap but nothing has been done so far.
As the word spread, some citizens and groups from Shillong reached out to these truck drivers with stocks of essential commodities on Saturday.