Will de-register trucks disrupting transport: Parrikar

Panaji, Nov 1 (IANS) Iron ore-ferrying trucks belonging to those involved in disrupting ore transportation will be de-registered by the Mines and Geology Department, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday.

"Those truck owners who take law in their hands, their trucks will be de-registered by the mines department," Parrikar said.

The Chief Minister's comment comes at a time when differences have emerged between truck owners and mining companies over ore transportation rates.

This has resulted in skirmishes between the two groups, resulting in disruption of ore transportation in the mining belt.

The Chief Minister said there were around 6,000 mining trucks registered in the state which help transport the 20 million tonnes of iron ore, produced in the coastal state's iron ore mines, to the river-side loading points.

Parrikar also said that following complaints by residents in mining areas about problems caused by constant movement of iron ore-ferrying trucks, it was decided to streamline truck movement in the mining belt, located in the hinterland.

The decision was taken at a meeting with representatives of mining companies, truck owners and officials from the Mines and Geology Department.

"Mining transport has been permitted only from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. From 7.30 to 8.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. transportation will be stopped to cater to school timings. Maximum speed has been increased from 40 km per hour to 45 km per hour," Parrikar said.