Shillong, Feb 28: Opposing imposition of indefinite bandh to block National Highway 62 and 37 by the Truck owners who called themselves as the Goalpara District Truck Owners’ Association (GDTOA), another group today emerged and said they are the original Goalpara District Truck Owners’ Association and alleged that the expelled members of the group is misusing its name to tarnish its image.
Goalpara District Truck Owner’s Association slammed the association saying it is an illegal committee and they have also filed a court case against the “illegal” committee at Goalpara Court.
Earlier, another association known as Goalpara Truck Owner’s Association (GTOA) had threatened to withdraw the services of trucks carrying fuel and LPG cylinders into Meghalaya if the State Government does not take action against flourishing “illegal toll gates” along NH-62 in Garo Hills within seven days.
The Association has also said that it is not in favour of indefinite bandh because this is the time for the truckers to earn profit.
Goalpara District Truck Owner’s Association (GTOA) leaders asserted that they are not supporting any agitations of the other committee even as they informed that now some vehicles are plying to Garo Hills and they are trying to see that all vehicles carrying essential commodities as well coal ply to Garo Hills without any problems.
Being the season time the association does not recommend any such agitation, but however maintained that huge amount is being collected from the toll gates of National Highway.
It is learnt that every day around 600 trucks from Assam enter and leave Meghalaya carrying essential commodities and coal.
The Goalpara District Truck Owner’s Association (GTOA) on Monday asked the Meghalaya Government to take tolls as prescribed along the NH 62 where many tollgates are collecting huge amount of money from the truckers who ply on the road.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday. President of the association Raijuddin Ahmed said, “We request Meghalaya Government to tolls as prescribed or else we will die.”
Stating that only weighbridge needs to function along the highway, the Association rued three weighbridges exists on the highway where they have to shell out huge amount instead of the prescribed rate.
The Association demanded that the State Government must close down other weighbridges and only one weighbridges should operate along the highway.
According to Raijuddin Ahmed, some parking lots are also situated along the National Highway and the truckers are forced to enter the parking lot and again they have to pay huge amount of money which they cannot afford.
Stating that they are never issued receipts by the toll gates and parking lots, the Association demanded for an immediate closure of such amenities on the road that has come up only with the intention of making quick money even as he said that only Government gates issues them receipts.(SP News)
