By MEHBOOB MAHTAB

Jharsuguda: The Jharsuguda district administration has made multi-axle heavy vehicles mandatory for coal transportation in the Ib Valley mining area, triggering concerns among owners of ten-wheeler trucks over potential financial losses and the future of their businesses.

The directive was issued during the District Collector’s visit to the Ib Valley area, where the coal transportation system was reviewed and discussions held with officials and other stakeholders on resolving operational issues.

The Brajarajnagar Truck Owners’ Association is yet to decide whether to accept the directive, with its president, Satish Singh, saying the association has sought time from the Collector to consult members before taking a call.

Roadblocks Ahead

1. Loan burden: Ten-wheeler owners fear EMIs will become difficult to repay if their trucks are barred from coal transportation
2. Livelihood concerns: Small operators fear losing business to wealthy investors owning multi-axle vehicles
3. Uncertain future: Truck owners’ association seeks time to consult members, while administration insists on uninterrupted coal movement

It remains unclear whether ten-wheeler trucks will be permitted to transport coal once the multi-axle requirement comes into force. The uncertainty has added to the concerns of local operators and raised questions about whether the change could disrupt coal transportation in the coming days.

Many local truck owners said they have purchased their ten-wheelers with loans from banks and other financial institutions. They fear that if they can no longer transport coal, they could struggle to repay their loans. They have also questioned where they could deploy their existing vehicles if the new requirement leaves them out of coal transportation operations.

Some others have alleged that the decision would hurt small local transport operators while favouring wealthy investors and owners of larger vehicles. They have reportedly told the media that they would oppose its implementation, arguing that their livelihoods are at stake.

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The administration, meanwhile, has directed the association not to obstruct coal transportation and asked all stakeholders to ensure that operations continue without disruption. The Collector said multi-axle vehicles must be deployed to transport coal from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) mines in accordance with the applicable rules.

Jharsuguda Sub-Collector Sabyasachi Panda, the Jharsuguda Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), the Inspector-in-Charge of Brajarajnagar police station, the General Manager of MCL’s Ib Valley Area and other senior officials were present during the Collector's visit. Discussions also covered maintaining law and order in the mining areas and ensuring faster, smoother and uninterrupted coal transportation.