Bundi : Gravel mafia has reduced the movement on the National Highway to dodge the authorities. At present the gravel mafia is removing their overloaded gravel filled vehicles from the state highways and rural roads. Due to this, roads in rural areas built worth crores of rupees are breaking down. At the same time, accidents are also happening every day due to vehicles passing at high speed. Many people are battling for life and death in the hospital. Many people have even had their arms and legs broken. Even after this, police and transport department officials remain unaware. Now the villagers have warned of blocking the road if there is no solution within 7 days. On the complaint of the villagers, Vijayanagar reached the village to see the situation. Villagers told that for a long time, illegal gravel vehicles have been passing through Uniara via Nainwan, Khatkar, Kepatan to Kota route. Whereas, earlier vehicles did not pass through this route, but now there is noise of vehicles throughout the night. People living on the roadside are not even able to sleep properly at night. The new road built with difficulty is being broken due to protests and demonstrations. There are potholes on the roads and drivers are in trouble.
It is becoming difficult for two-wheelers and pedestrians to move on single roads at night. Recently also, two bike riders were injured after being hit by a dumper filled with gravel. But, the dumper driver ran away at high speed. In the last 3 months, 14 people have lost their arms and legs in accidents. Some are undergoing treatment in the hospital. Many vehicles carrying illegal gravel are passing in front of the police stations of the district from late night till early morning. Vehicles loaded with illegal gravel are reaching Kota and Kepatan from Uniyara. There are many police stations on this route between Uniara and Kota. These vehicles are passing in front of the police station, but the police do not pay attention. The villagers expressed suspicion of collusion in this.
Villagers of Chitawa, Vijayanagar, Nayagaon and Ishwarnagar of Kepatan subdivision complained to the Collector about the problems being caused by overloaded vehicles filled with illegal gravel coming out of the villages. Villagers Ramlal Meena, Pappu, Santosh, Madan Lal, Naresh Meena, Radheshyam told that for the last several days, overloaded gravel-laden vehicles are passing through the villages every night from Khatkar side.
These vehicles are reaching Keshavraipatan and Kota via flyover from Khatkar via Ishwar Nagar, Nayagaon, Chitawa, Vijaynagar, Gamach. In such a situation, roads worth crores built in villages after years are being broken. There are deep potholes on the roads. At the same time, Chitawa has been completely uprooted due to overloaded vehicle passing through Gamach to Vijayanagar canal. Due to this road being single, many two-wheeler drivers have become victims of accidents. Due to the high speed of these vehicles, the oncoming vehicle does not even get a chance to move sideways. When the villagers protest about this problem, the gravel mafia travels with three-four luxury vehicles along with the gravel vehicles. If we complain about this to the police, no action is taken.
Illegal gravel vehicles are tall. 12 wheeler trucks and trolleys which cannot even move properly on the village roads. To rotate them one has to move back and forth a lot. This repeatedly creates traffic jams. People of Chitawa and Vijaynagar told that when 12 wheeler trucks and trolleys pass through the villages, there is a possibility of them entering the houses while taking turns. If any vehicle is overloaded in the district, then action will be taken against it. Earlier too, action has been taken against overloaded vehicles. Will take action in this matter also. – Pramod Lodha, District Transport Officer ^ There is no information about sand laden vehicles passing through Vijaynagar. If this is happening then we will send a team and get it investigated.
