Odisha revises mineral freight charges in 5 districts

Bhubaneswar, Sep 29: The State Government has revised
freight rate for transportation of minerals in five districts of Odisha for the
second time since August 2015.

The notification to this effect was issued by the Government
pursuant to the Orissa High Court order, which had earlier this year directed
the Government to finalise the freight rate in consultation with the Truck
Owners’ Associations.

According to the notification, for distance above 50 km the
maximum freight rate per kilo meter has been increased from Rs. 6.40 to Rs.
6.60, from Rs 5.10 to Rs. 5.20 and from Rs 4.10 to Rs 4.20 for 6 wheelers, 10
wheelers and 12 wheelers, respectively.

For one way distance up to 50 km, the transport rate is Rs
38 per kilometer and Rs 1235 per day in case of six wheelers. In case of
10-wheelers the rate, as announced is Rs 53.50 per km and Rs 1355 per day and
for 12-wheelers it is revised to Rs 57.90 per km along with Rs 1,620 per day.
The notification has compensated the return idle journey by allowing 40% extra.

Prior to this notification, there was no per day charges,
rather it had per trip charges which has been duly considered in the revised
notification.

Taking note of the arbitrary and exorbitant rates, charged
by the Mineral transporters, Government of Odisha had issued a notification in
August 2015 putting a ceiling on freight rate for mineral transport in Angul,
Jajpur, Keonjhar, Sundargarh and Jagatsinghpur districts. However, truck owners
of Keonjhar protested the freight rate and paralyzed the transportation which
badly hit the mineral transport in the district. The Mini Truck Owners’
Association challenged the State Government decision in the Orissa High Court,
which directed the State Government to direct the Transport Commissioner to
resolve the issue by holding discussion with truck owners and Collectors of the
five districts.