Coal Transport Halt: Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari Intervenes After Truck Owners Raise Grievances
JHARSUGUDA: Members of the Bandbahal Truck Owners Association met with Brajrajnagar MLA and State Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari today to seek his urgent intervention regarding the ongoing halt in coal transportation.
Coal transport by trucks from the Lakhanpur area mines has been completely suspended since the first of this month. The disruption follows the state government Mining Department’s decision to withhold transportation permits for Mahanadi Coalfields Limited’s (MCL) Lakhanpur operations. The administrative action was taken due to outstanding tax dues amounting to ₹130 crore owed by the operator to the state government. As a result of the permit freeze, thousands of transport trucks have been left idle, severely impacting the livelihoods of local operators and drivers.
Upon being briefed on the escalating crisis, Minister Suresh Pujari immediately contacted the State Mining Secretary. The Minister directed the department to expedite the resolution of the dispute and ensure that the necessary permits are issued at the earliest to resume normal operations.
Assuring the delegation of truck owners, Minister Pujari stated that the government is committed to resolving their grievances promptly to prevent further economic distress to the local transport sector.
