nThe members of the Bandhbahal Maa Samleswari Truck Owners’ Association have expressed displeasure anticipating disruption of coal transportation by trucks in MCL's Ib Valley, Lakhanpur and Orient Area.
Hundreds of truck owners gathered at Bandhbahal BOCM Chowk. For years 5,000 truck owners have been maintaining their livelihood through roadsale coal transportation with the cooperation of the district administration and MCL management.
But since last few weeks, irregularities are seen in roadsale coal transport. No facility for coal loading is given inspite of thousands of trucks stranded on the road. Maximum 4 to 5 trips per month is given for coal transport. As a result, the truck owners are facing hardships to manage monthly vehicle premium, staff salary, fuel charge etc. Hence, the family members of the truck owners depending on their income are now passing days together.
The truck owners had already ventilated their grievances before the MCL management and local peoples representatives to get a permanent solution of the problem. For the last so many years,a total of 30 per cent auction coal was transported through trucks to the local industries while now the MCL management are trying to transport coal through rail.
During last 4 months also, auction coal is being transported to the industries by railway thus leaving 50,000 families of truck owners and their workers almost jobless. Now, MCL is trying to change the existing guidelines for which thousands of families are being deprived of their daily livelihood, they alleged.
Jharsuguda Collector Saroj Kumar Samal said that a decision will be taken in the matter soon. Likewise Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari assured that he is in touch with both MCL management and district administration and the matter will be decided in a meeting
soon.