BJP seeks HC, NGT’s intervention into illegal quarries in Garo Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 6, 2022

BJP leader and MDC from Tura Bernard N Marak has urged the intervention of the Meghalaya High Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) into the alleged operation of illegal stone quarries in Garo Hills region. 

In a statement issued on Sunday, Marak said that many illegal stone quarries are being run in Pipulbari areas and in East Garo Hills. 

“Illegal quaries run freely in the plain areas and these stones are exported to Bangladesh with “Goonda Tax” of Rs 2,500/- per truck,” he said.

He further alleged that these overloaded trucks ply freely through Tura town at night without proper challan which cannot be checked by police due to high level involvement.

The over loaded trucks damaged the Tura roads in many places and Tura-Dalu road construction also are badly affected, Marak added.

According to him, the road near Civil Surgeon’s office in Tura upto Babupara has sunk at some point and are badly damaged on the left side of the road because over loaded trucks ply through it at night.

“If such activities are not stopped by the Government, Hon’ble Court is our last hope,” Marak said. 

He said that how these trucks operate without proper challan, weight bridge and why police cannot check these vehicles has raised many queries but no one takes responsibility. 

“Surely, people at the high level dearly benefits from these quaries and illegal transportation,” he further alleged while adding that this has caused inconvenience to the public in general as the risk involves public lives, delay in development and losing huge revenue by the Government.