PANJIM: With iron ore mining operations in the State slated to begin with a cap on annual production, which would be almost half of that allowed in the past, truck operators from the mining belt have urged the government to increase the ore transportation timings, in order to ensure better earnings for them.
As per the government order, which was issued following High Court directives, the ore transportation is presently limited to eight hours a day. The truck owners feel that the only way they can survive is by making more trips and that is only possible by increasing the transportation timings.
The Supreme Court appointed expert committee, in its preliminary report, has suggested a cap of 20 million tons on fresh production annually.
South Goa Progressive Truck Owners Association President Prakash Raut Desai said, “The only way we can pay for the accumulated interest and loans is by making more trips – which can only be possible if more tonnage is moved by each truck, therefore timing for transportation of iron ore needs to be increased to accommodate more trips per truck.” “Government should ensure that more truckers are accommodated in an industry that is facing severe crisis due to reduced cap and other restrictions by the Supreme Court,” he said.
Sitaram Gaonkar, truck contractor said that the government decision to restrict the transportation timings to only eight hours a day is detrimental to truckers, as it limits the number of trips a truck can make during the day. “Will the industry be able to accommodate all truckers for transportation of 20 million tons?” he questions adding that under such a situation truck operators will continue to suffer losses.
