Shillong, April 14: A body of local transporters has urged the authorities of East Jaintia Hills to ban the operation of multi-axle bulker trucks by cement companies of the district.

In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaiñtia Hills today, the Association of Meghalaya Traders and Transporters (AMTT) said that cement companies under the Jaiñtia Cement Manufacturers’ Association (JCMA) are using heavy bulker trucks to transport cement, fly ask and clinker to destinations within Meghalaya and outside the State.

The AMTT also stated that movement of bulker trucks has resulted in acute traffic congestion on National Highway-6 particularky between Khliehriat, Malidor and Jowai frequently obstructing the movement of ambulances, school buses and other essential services.

It also said that such bulker trucks posed risk of fatal accidents due to vehicles’ elevated centre of gravity, excessive swept path on curves, and dimimished braking efficiency on steep downgrades.

“Any major mishap involving such vehicles on these fragile corridors would result not only in tragic loss of human life but also in prolonged disruption of the sole arterial link connecting East Jaiñtia Hills with the rest of the State,” AMTT president Enrico D. Pasi said in the letter to the DC.

According to the AMTT, more than 800 local transporters of the district are being deprived of their legitimate business due to the use of bulker trucks by the cement companies.

The Association also urged the DC to issue appropriate orders prohibiting the movement of bulker trucks under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act in the district for the sake of public safety, traffic convenience, road durability, and also to protect the interest of local transporters.