the goan I network
MARGAO
The Congress took up cudgels for the beleaguered Margao Salcete Truckers Association, who had been protesting the illegal plying of 12-tyre goods trucks between MPT and factories in South Goa.
A delegation led by Congress spokesman Sidhanath Buyao and Fatorda block president, Piedade Noroha and the truck owners president Franky Gomes, treasurer Vallabh Varak called on Assistant Transport Director, Prahlad Desai and demanded action against the Karnataka and Maharashtra registered trucks involved in the illegal transportation of coal from MPT to factories in South Goa.
The RTO officer gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured to act against the illegal plying of trucks.
As far as overloading of the vehicles is concerned, Desai said the vehicles leave MPT after passing through a weigh bridge, while saying the transport department has no weigh bridge of its own to check the weight of vehicles.
Later briefing the media, Buyao said the delegation impressed upon the RTO Assistant Director that injustice is being meted out to local operators as the Motor Vehicles Act is clear that outside vehicles can enter the state with goods and leave the state after unloading, but no outside vehicle has the right to transport goods within the state.
The Congress-led delegation has given the RTO till August 7 to crack the whip against outstation vehicles since a ship carrying coal is likely to berth at MPT on that day.
Buyao warned that local transporters and Congress workers will physically stop all outstation vehicles carrying goods within the state after the aforementioned deadline.
