Truck owners threaten to block entry of trucks to Dimapur

Dimapur, Sep. 5 (EMN): Lahorijan and Khatkhati Truckers’ Welfare Society (LKTWS) and the Bokajan Trucker Owners’ Association (BTOA) have threatened to block entry of trucks and other transporters to Dimapur along the National Highway if its demand were not met.

The two organisations have issued the statement following a notification vide order No. DTO/DMR/RTA-01/02/Pt-III in which it had warned against overloading and restricting plying of heavy vehicles and thereby threatening to impose penalty and punitive action under the MV Act.

A memorandum in this regard was submitted to the deputy commissioner of Dimapur, on September 5 by the two associations highlighting its objections.

The memorandum stated that none of the transporters or vehicle owners is happy carrying overload as it has negative implication on the vehicle and against the directive of the Supreme Court.

The organisations have also alleged taxation in the form of legal and illegal that is being collected from the heavy vehicles, which are beyond the ground realities, by the various law enforcing agencies and underground outfits at different designated points and gates from Dimapur entry gate till Imphal.

It also pointed out that rise in price of fuel and additional cess implied on the price of fuel in the form of Covid cess are adding extra burden on the truckers to carry overload to balance the expenses.

The memorandum added that truckers would be happy to follow the circular only if security is provided in terms of government consignments which are given a security cover till their destination points, which included agencies like FCI, IOCL, NH, Railways etc.

The two organisations have, therefore, requested the DC to find an amicable solution considering the interest of truckers and transporters before the imposition of the order. It further warned that the two organisations would be compelled to take its own course of action by blocking both the national highways entering Dimapur if it fails to address the issue at the earliest.