On rough roads: Supply trucks bump ahead during lockdown

Our Reporter
Dimapur, July 27 (EMN): Amid the lockdown imposed in Nagaland and despite government guidelines to tackle the pandemic, truckers carrying essential commodities to and from various other states face many challenges while also following the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The general secretary of the Dimapur District Truck Driver Welfare Trade Union, Atobo Suren Zhimo spoke to Eastern Mirror. He informed that the truckers face many hardships because of the lockdown.

 “The truckers are allowed only to travel at night and by then everything is shut. They have to cook and eat on their own in the middle of nowhere at times,” said Zhimo.

Saying that one of the major difficulties they face is when trucks break down in the middle of the jungle or have an accident where the drivers and handymen have to fix the truck or have had to wait for help to arrive which may go on until the next day sometimes.

 “They cannot park anywhere also in villages as people are scared of the Coronavirus,” Zhimo said.

Approximately 50-60 trucks carrying essential commodities go via Dimapur from Assam everyday and move further to Imphal, Zhimo said.

When queried about the SOPs they must follow considering that the truckers travel across three states, Zhimo assured that all mandatory protocols are adhered to.   

 “They travel straight to Manipur where they are screened at the ISBT in Imphal; even while loading and unloading they are not allowed to leave and stationed with the truck,” Zhimo said.

He informed that the officials in Imphal issue a medical certificate to the truck drivers and are later produced at the Khuzama check gate in Kohima upon returning to Nagaland.

 ‘After they reach Dimapur, the medical certificate is shown and only then they move to Assam again,’ Zhimo said.

Apart from the trucks carrying commodities, oil tankers also travel across the states two times a week.

An official from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) told this newspaper that fuel meant only for Imphal crosses Dimapur in oil tankers from Assam. The oil supply for Dimapur and Kohima come via train wagons.

 “For other districts in Nagaland, the tankers take the Mariani-Mokokchung route while Dimapur and Kohima is via train wagons that arrive at the railway station,” the IOC official said. He said the oil tankers numbering to more than 200 travel in a convoy about twice a week.

 “Earlier convoy used to ferry oil every day, Monday to Friday, but now it’s twice a week,” the official said.  

In terms of SOPs for the truck drivers, the official also informed that the drivers report to the ISBT depot in Imphal and are quarantined there.

“While the drivers are quarantined, thermal screening is conducted and a card is issued after which they will unload the commodities at the designated depot,” said the official. He added that only after unloading, they would go back to the quarantine centre at ISBT and will be issued another certificate to travel back to Assam via Nagaland.

In a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs dated April 30, the centre directed states to ensure free passage of trucks carrying essential goods in order to maintain supply.

A control room number ‘1930’ is available to truck drivers and transporters who can now lodge a complaint pertaining to the lockdown, a statement by the press information bureau stated.

In addition, National Highways Authority of India helpline number 1033 is available for highway-related grievances.