Vehicles are covered with tarpaulin after being stopped by Sao Jose de Areal villagers on Wednesday. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Agitated villagers of Sao Jose de Areal on Wednesday stopped trucks carrying metal powder without covering the vehicles with tarpaulin sheets.
Acting on the complaint from the villagers led by activist Freddy Travasso, the Maina Curtorim police later swung into action and fined around 14 vehicles for carrying goods without covering the trucks with tarpaulin.
Maina Curtorim police station in-charge, PI Arun Dessai informed that the police have imposed a fine of Rs 500 on each of the 14 vehicles for violation of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Sarpanch Linda Fernandes and Deputy Sarpanch Valente Fernandes also rushed to the spot after the villagers stopped three trucks in the village in the morning.
Freddy pointed out that the trucks were carrying black metal powder without covering the vehicles with tarpaulin sheets, causing dust pollution. “As per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, the goods vehicles are mandated to cover the vehicles with tarpaulin sheets. What we have observed today was that the vehicles were plying in violation of the provisions,” Freddy said.
Sounding a warning, the villagers pointed out they would not allow any vehicles carrying goods, including black metal power, without the vehicles being covered with tarpaulin sheets. Last month, the villagers stopped a couple of Margao Municipal Council trucks transporting dry waste for not covering the vehicles with tarpaulin.
