Shillong, Mar 26: The Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA) has raised concerns about the presence of transporters from outside the state.
The association in its meeting held yesterday at Mihmyntdu discussed the RTI reply from the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) that there are 43 transporters operating from outside the state.
MCTODA spokesperson Wanchwa Nongtdu told reporters that if each of these transporters possesses around 50 trucks, this could mean a staggering total of 2150 trucks potentially competing with local businesses. He said this influx of external transporters has raised eyebrows, particularly given that local truck owners are securing less than 6 per cent of the hauling opportunities in cement factories.
Stating that the impact on local drivers is profound, Nongtdu said many local truckers report only being able to complete four trips a month, which severely hampers their ability to make vehicle installments.
The MCTODA warns that due to the influx of these non-tribal truckers, many vehicles are being taken away by banks as local drivers struggle to maintain their livelihoods.
There is a strong sentiment that these external transporters are robbing the wealth generated locally, prompting the MCTODA to urge the JHADC to suspend the trading licenses of non-tribal truckers.
