Bauxite transportation resumes at Canaguinim

But truckers allege harassment by locals
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Transportation of bauxite ore from Canaguinim plateau resumed on Wednesday, but truck owners from Margao maintained that locals resorted to strong arm tactics to deny them any trips for the second day.
A delegation of the Margao truckers called on District Collector N D Agrawal on Wednesday morning to convey the ground reality at Canaguinim. Based on the complaints received from the truckers, the district police chief Shekhar Prabhudessai will now hold a meeting with the truckers to work out an amicable solution to the transportation business.
A trucker from Margao Rajesh Naik told the media that when they went to Canaguinim with their trucks, locals acted in a high handed manner and denied them any trips. “We maintained that since we were denied the trips on Tuesday, we ought to be give preference today, but our pleas fell on deaf ears,” he said, adding that they have approached the district collector to work out a solution to the issue.
Incidentally, when Herald contacted, mine owner Mayur Gosalia said the situation was peaceful at the ore loading site. “We are working out a mechanism wherein the route truck owners will get preference, followed by the numbers. Once this mechanism is put in place, things will automatically fall in place,” Mayur said.
Resumption of bauxite ore mining operations at the Canaguinim plateau has made many a truck owner from South Goa to try and get some trips to make up for the losses.
However, while the mine owner Mayur said he would cap the number of trucks to 250 a day, though around 350-400 trucks are soliciting inquiries.
 for transportation of the ore.