JOWAI: In Jaintia Hills, the transport sector and the economy revolving it are one of the main casualties of the NGT ban on coal mining in the State.
In a visit to the different parts of East and West Jaintia Hills, a group of journalists has found that among the worst affected people by the ban order are truck operators, taxi drivers, motor vehicle workshops and automobile spare parts outlets. Vehicle washers, mostly women, are also hard hit.
Local taxi driver in Khliehriat David Lyngdoh said he was facing great difficulties in making a living since there were no passengers.
“Normally, I was able to earn between Rs 800 to Rs 1000 daily. But now I am not able to earn even Rs 100 in a day,” Lyngdoh said. As a result of this, it had become difficult for him to take care of his family.
East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners’ Association president Yes Shylla said the NGT ban has affected both truck owners and drivers.
“Most of us have bought trucks through loans. Now all the trucks are lying idle,” Shylla said adding, “If this ban continues our trucks will be seized due to non repayment of loans.”
Shylla added that the truck owners have also been compelled to retrench their drivers.
“We cannot pay them any longer because now there is no income,” he said.
Expressing similar sentiments, a relatively well doing vehicle workshop owner Balwinder Singh’s business had received a sudden jolt after the NGT ban.
“My workshop fends for 12 families and now they are with me and the load is on me to look after them, I cannot throw them away,” Singh said. He added, “Look at the roads, they are empty and no one dares travel at night any longer.”
Revealing that petty thefts in the area have started to increase, the workshop owner said, “Last week a grocery shop was robbed of 5 kg rice and 2 kg potato. I don’t think that was a theft, it must be someone who needed food really badly,” Singh stated.
