TURA, Dec 16: The West Garo Hills police detained at least 15 Bhutanese trucks at Rongsai near the Assam-Meghalaya border for carrying loads beyond the permissible limits.
The vehicles were travelling to Bangladesh to export boulders. There were public complaints against Bhutanese trucks which come carrying loads in excess of 40-50 MTs.
Earlier, the trucks from Bhutan were allowed to use the AMPT road through Tikrikilla-Phulbari and beyond for exporting boulders to Bangladesh. They were repeatedly warned against carrying loads beyond the permissible limits but they did not care and the export continued.
“There were trucks coming with loads in excess of 60-70 MTs whereas the permissible limit is only for a 3 axle truck (18 MT). They gave the excuse that there were a huge number of gates (legal and illegal) where they had to pay ‘tax’ and as such, they resorted to overloading to make up for the losses. This continued for 3-4 months before their continued illegal act led to a bridge near Hallidayganj giving way,” said a resident of Phulbari.
Following the damage to the bridge, the export operations through the AMPT road came to a complete halt. Recently, the operations resumed after the trucks were allowed to use not only the AMPT road but also the Paikan-Tura-Dalu (National Highway 51) road.
The problems started when the trucks again began violating the traffic laws of India by carrying loads above permissible limits. And not just that, now they started travelling through Tura town. A resident had lodged a complaint with the police. They stopped the trucks and sent them back.
On Sunday, the overloaded trucks were stopped by the police and detained near Rongsai. It was learnt the vehicles will be sent back.
“They are bypassing all laws in the name of export and damaging our roads completely. AMPT is a state road maintained by NEC, PWD and they are using trailers to move loads from Bhutan to Bangladesh. We don’t mind export as it is an international agreement but it has to be done in adherence to the Indian laws,” said another Tikrikilla resident.
WGH Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma said all OCs/ICs have been asked to ensure strict adherence to permissible weights.
“The District Magistrate has allowed 3 axle trucks for the export of boulders from Bhutan. We stopped the trucks near Rongsai as they were overloaded. They are being sent back. We will ensure strict adherence to laws,” the SP said.
Sources said these trucks were paying close to Rs 45,000 each to move through Assam and Meghalaya. The money went to elements who helped in ensuring their transit.
