-- Samir Umarye
BICHOLIM, JULY 10 Bicholim Deputy Collector Narayan Gad has ordered the suspension of mining transportation through Surla village during certain periods. It may be recalled that the Surla Public Welfare Samstha had requested application had urged the Bicholim deputy collector to stop mining traffic in the area, claiming that an average of one truck plies every minute along the Surla road. Citing several health hazards that the villagers suffer due to pollution, they demanded that trucks should either be stopped from passing through the village or should be allowed at specified times during the day. On December 14, 2009, the Samstha had blocked the entire Surla road after complaining that authorities had not taken any action in the matter. Government officials who visited the site that day had assured that all their problems would be solved. As their demands were not met, the Samstha blocked the mining transport for two days from May 20. Deputy Collector Narayan Gad, after hearing the complaints of the villagers, passed an order directing the mining trucks to stop transport from 7 pm to 8 am and from 1 pm to 2 pm in the afternoon. The villagers have expressed happiness over the order. One Ashok Naik later filed a petition with the high court challenging the order. While the proceedings were going on, the Surla Public Welfare Samstha also filed another petition in the matter. The high court later directed the deputy collector to pass a decision within three months. As the proceedings were not complied within the stipulated time, the deputy collector's office had sought for an extension till July 12. After the proceedings were over, the deputy collector passed an order directing trucks operators to stop mining activities from 6 pm to 8 am in the morning and from 1 pm to 2 pm.
