Team Herald
PONDA: Usgao locals are irked by the pollution and accidents caused by ore-laden trucks plying through their village. They have also alleged that the trucks and mining companies continue to flout the transportation timing set by the High Court.
As per a High Court order, ore can be transported only between 8 am and 6 pm, which the locals say is being violated. They also claimed that the traffic department has failed to control the situation.
At present, the trucks transport ore late night and early morning. Incidentally, the timing that was set by the High Court can be seen on boards beside the village roads.
Earlier, the truckers from Usgao had assured to honour the timing, but now all has been forgotten. The locals, who are facing dust pollution due to rampant ore transportation in the mining belt, have threatened to approach the High Court for relief.
Locals have stated that ever since ore transportation resumed, they are afraid to go for their early morning walks. They claimed that many people, including youth, from Usgao had lost lives in accidents caused by mining trucks, which speed through the village.
The locals have also alleged that the truckers are using torn plastic to cover their cargo, which resulted in dust pollution. They have demanded that the government curb ore transportation during restricted hours, which is a cause for worry.
It may be recalled that ore transportation resumed recently after being stopped in 2012.
