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Mining

Lucky escape for scooterist as mining truck loses control

HERALD
QUEPEM, APRIL 13, 2010
Even as residents of Quepem are fighting against operating of mining transport via Quepem town, a scooterist had a lucky escape from dashing against an overloaded mining truck, which lost control at the speed breaker near Tilamol Church.

According to reports, the incident was reported by the scooterist William Rodrigues to the RTO, who were present at Tilamol Junction, deputed to monitor mining trucks and the RTO stopped the overloaded mining truck.

Sources informed that the RTO instead of issuing Challan sent back the overloaded truck to the mine, where they were loaded. Since mining trucks were transporting late in the evening on Tuesday, residents of Ambaulim stopped about 70 trucks and were sent back.

Meanwhile, on yet another day in Quepem town, people witnessed the attitude of the transport contractors and truck owners, as they paid no respect to the District Magistrate South Goa G P Naik taking into consideration the hardship faced by villagers due to excessive mining transport.

According to sources, members of the newly formed Quepem Taluka Mining Affected People Front are closely monitoring and noting the registration numbers of every ore transporting trucks via Quepem town from 5 am to 7 pm.

Sources informed that the total number of trips made by trucks via Quepem town on Tuesday was 828 trips, which has been recorded on a video camera. However, as per the order dated April 10 passed by South Goa Collector G P Naik, there should be reduction in the number of trips from Quepem and Rivona-Colomb from 1,700 to 850, which means 425 trips via Quepem town. However, the total number of trips transported via Quepem town alone exceeded double the limit, which is 828 trips.

The Collector’s notification also states about the timing of mining transport from 6 am to 6 pm. However, as per the monitoring done by the members of the Front, the transportation started as early as 5.30 am and the movement of empty trucks to the loading point started as early as 4 am, thereby disturbing the locals.

“Similarly, the transportation continued via Quepem town even after 7 pm. All the trucks were overloaded and were passing in front of the RTOs deputed to inspect. There was also no improvement in the speed limit,” said sources. Speaking to reporters, Front member Ajay Pereira condemned the action of truck operators, who interfere with the law-enforcing agencies while carrying out their lawful duties.

The Quepem Taluka Mining Affected People Front Convenor Adv Fedrick Pereira said people will not tolerate the high-handedness of truck operators.“We are presently only monitoring the mining transport and if the dadagiri of mining contractors continues, then people of Quepem will take action in the days to come,” warned Adv Pereira.

Mining

Lucky escape for scooterist as mining truck loses control

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