To prevent accidents on TRL-Gomadera route, the district administration has decided to prohibit coal-laden trucks in the area.
The decision was taken at a meeting of Collector with other representatives recently.
According to reports, more than 3,000 trucks carrying coal from Lakhanpur area of MCL ply on the road daily. Reckless driving by drivers of these trucks on the narrow route has claimed many lives in past.
Besides, high level of air and noise pollution continues to pose a threat to the residents.
As an alternative, a bypass road will be constructed from Madhuban Nagar, Collector BP Sahu said. MCL officials expressed their consent to the proposal.
Welcoming the move, former chairperson of Belpahar Municipality and president of Belpahar Citizens’ Committee said, “For the last 16 years, we have been asking the administration to construct a by-pass road for coal-laden trucks. We have launched agitation umpteen number of times. We are very happy with the decision.”
Brajrajnagar Truck Owners Association president AK Samal said, “The decision will force us to cover an additional distance of 17 km via Ubra-Belpahar.”
Among others, SP DK Deo, CGM Lakhanpur and representatives of Belpahar Citizens’ Committee were also present at the meeting.