TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The trucks segment, often touted to reflect the wheels of a Goa’s economy, has suffered deeply due to a stagnant State economy as a result of mining ban, with tipper truck purchases at its lowest since 2009.
Before closure of mining activity the registration of tipper trucks in Goa was increasing almost double fold every financial year, with the Fiscal year (FY) 2011-12 witnessing registration of 2693 trucks.
The number came down to 173 trucks registered for the FY 2012-13. Further, for the current financial year so far, not a single truck is registered. As per transport department records, state have around 20,000 trucks registered.
Speaking to HERALD, Director of Transport Arun Desai said that the closer of mining industry has hit hard the overall sale of vehicles in the state. He said that on an average over 1500 trucks use to get registered in the state every year since 2009-10.
The data available from State Transport department indicates that for the year 2009-10– 1052, 2010-11 — 1752 and 2011-12 — 2215 and in 2012-13 — 2693 trucks were registered.
The sudden China market boom in 2005, paved the way to large scale mining in the State. The destruction of fields, farming activities, increasing production of iron ore and the revenue generation, forced villagers to jump into the business of iron ore transportation. As more money came in, people purchased more and more trucks, mostly on loan.
Almost every house in the vicinity of an iron ore mine in State’s mining talukas own tipper trucks.
The Supreme Court has halted mining activities including transportation of ore in Goa following Justice M B Shah Commission report which exposed large scale illegal mining in the State from 2006 to 2011.
“With mining restricted, sales of tippers (used to bring ores from the pit to the surface) have been affected. Sales of trucks which carry the minerals to the port or consumption point are also down,” Rama Gawas, truck owner said.
Govind Desai, another truck owner says, ‘people don’t go for purchase of new truck as there are no clear indications whether mining will resume in the State and even if it is then at what scale’.
“The sales of tipper truckers drastically come down since November 2012. We also offered discounts like 10 percent off or additional benefits but failed to impress as the economy was slowdown,” official affiliated to a leading truck maker said.
Official claimed that the situation is worst not only in Goa but across the country due to mining restrictions. “We are forced to reduce over production by over 30 to 40 percent,” official said.
The truckers own loan liability of around Rs 500 crore. Government is in talks with Reserve Bank of India over restructuring of loans.
Currently, monthly package of Rs 12,000is provided to truck owners registered with Directorate of Mines and Geology by government.
Director of Transport Arun Desai said that the closure of mining industry has hit hard the overall sale of vehicles in the state. He said that on an average over 1500 trucks use to get registered in the state every year since 2009-10
