TMC-backed truckers block bridge, demand end to dump truck ban amid urgent repair calls

Three Trinamool-backed truck owners’ associations from Jalpaiguri and Siliguri organized a protest, blocking the Gajoldoba Bridge in Jalpaiguri. They demanded the immediate removal of the recent ban on dump trucks exceeding six tons, a restriction enforced by the district administration on October 4 due to concerns over the bridge’s deteriorating structure. The ban has significantly disrupted the transport of sand, stone, and other heavy materials essential to the local construction and mining industries.

To implement the restriction, the administration installed height barriers on the bridge, allowing only lighter vehicles to cross. This forced dump trucks to take lengthy detours, which according to Govinda Das, secretary of the Dump Truck Owners' Association, has impacted operational time and increased transport costs. Das added that while dump trucks are restricted, other heavy vehicles such as those carrying cement, steel, and iron rods continue to use the bridge, creating disparities in transportation access for different industries.

The extended travel routes have financial implications beyond transport companies. Around 5,000 workers in the Dooars region depend on sand and stone loading for their livelihoods, but the restrictions have led to decreased work opportunities and potential job losses. Truck owners report challenges in meeting vehicle installment payments and royalty permits due to higher fuel expenses and operational delays, directly affecting business sustainability.

According to officials, the district administration has initiated a project report for repairing the bridge. Once completed, the bridge repairs are expected to commence soon, addressing structural vulnerabilities that necessitated the ban. During the protest, truck owners highlighted the urgency of these repairs to restore normal transport routes and support the local economy, which relies heavily on construction material transportation across the Gajoldoba Bridge.