By Our Correspondent
JODA/BARBIL/BHUBANESWAR: The frequent 2 to 3 days disruption of Iron Ore transportation on Road by Truck and Other permitted vehicles in Keonjhar district in Odisha during Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi;s visits is seems distracting the State’s mineral transportation and directly affecting steel production. Sources said, mineral transportation from various mines through road has been stopped from Today and will continue till October 14 for CM visit.
Keonjhar Truck Owners Association, which played a key role in supply of iron , ore , manganese to Steel and other ancillary industries , now facing trouble after District Police started imposing restriction on movement of iron ore transportation through road by truck and other vehicles citing CM Majhi’s district visit.
“We heartily welcome the visit of CM Mohan Charan Majhi to Keonjhar. It has come to our knowledge that transportation from different mines has been stopped in view of the visit of CM . As a result of which many truck owners are facing a lot of hardship. It is natural that the district administration will ensure the safety movement of CM but we request you to detain the trucks only during the by road movement period mentioned in his tour programme if possible , we hope that the truck owners will not be deprived of financial losses,” Keonjhar Truck Owners’ Association Core Committee on Saturday written to District Collector, District SP and Deputy Director of Mines Joda Mining Circle seeking their intervention.
The letter was sent to District and Police Administration in name of Debasis Pattanayak , who is Coordinator of Core Committee.
Industry and mining activities along with Steel production is also affecting due to such prior restriction by Keonjhar Police. As CM Majhi belongs to Keonjhar, his visit always bears significance while prior restriction on mineral transportation on road, is also affecting economy, sources said.
Meanwhile , the Association argued about losses of their business and also said steel production affecting due to such unnecessary restrictions. ‘While we respect the need for security, restricting transportation only during the CM’s road movement would reduce the impact on key industries,” they said.
It may be noted here that even during COVID-19, mineral transportation and Steel production were not affected in Odisha due to pro- active role of then Union Steel Minister, PNG Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, now Union Education Minister. Steel Ministry had to issue special advisory for uninterrupted supply of iron ore to Steel industries and ancillary industries during COVID-19 while terming it as an essential commodity.
