Stop plying Surjagarh ore trucks: Anti-graft activists

Nagpur: Members of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare’s Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas (BVJAN) are set to stage ‘rasta roko’ in Gadchiroli on December 5 protesting against fleets of trucks ferrying Surjagarh iron ore posing threat to public health and also affecting schoolgoing kids in Etapalli tehsil the most.
The BVJAN had earlier submitted a memorandum to the district administration pointing out at trucks ferrying iron ore damaging roads and triggering heavy pollution. Claiming that the administration failed to act, the BVJAN has now decided to launch a stir demanding stoppage of the ore trucks until the roads are repaired and other issues addressed.
Vijay Kharwade, district president of BVJAN, said we are not against mining and development, but want to highlight several problems cropping up due to high frequency of heavy trucks plying in the area carrying iron ore from Surjagarh hillock.
“Because of bad roads and heavy truck traffic, the commute time between Allapalli and Ashti has increased from 30-45 minutes to almost two and a half hours on an average. It becomes very difficult to ply passenger buses and private vehicles because of the high frequency movement of ore carrying trucks,” said Kharwade.
To add to the problem, heavy trucks have damaged the roads to such an extent that public and private transport vehicles are getting damaged, he said.
“Students are unable to reach schools on time as it becomes difficult for bus or other drivers to manoeuvre the vehicles through the broken roads and truck fleets. Their education is getting affected as buses are plying in lesser numbers and so has the number of private vehicles operating in the tehsil come down,” said Kharwade.
“Dust particles blown up in the air by the trucks is affecting health of the residents, children being the worst sufferers,” he said.
Kharwade also said BVJAN would be keen to know where the revenue generated from the mining activities is being utilized.
The activist said better and stronger roads should be first laid and then only iron ore truckers be allowed.
“Following a recent rape case involving a truck driver and frequent accidents, we are demanding a police or traffic outpost to check whether the truckers are plying the vehicles under the influence of alcohol. Also, there should be a weighbridge at Allapalli and RTO checkpost for verifying fitness of the trucks and e-transit passes,” he said.
Phoolchand Waghade, secretary of BVJAN unit, said the villagers are facing innumerable problems due to the heavy flow of trucks through the region. “First construct good roads for the villagers and then resume mining,” said Waghade.
The activists claimed the district administration had been talking about creating a dedicated mining corridor and a bypass road, but it may take more time to take shape and hence the authorities should stop the ore trucks from plying in the area immediately.