Tippers pose health hazards in Dera Bassi

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, October 22

Residents of Dera Bassi and nearby villages rue that uncovered tippers and tractor-trailers carrying soil have become a health hazard for them. They accused the local administration of turning a blind eye to scores of overloaded tippers that ply on the village link roads, causing inconvenience to them as well commuters and pedestrians.

As per the norms, material needed to be covered with tarpaulin during transportation. In a flagrant violation of norms, tractor-trailers loaded with construction material continue to ply without a covering.

Trucks and tippers carrying loads of soil, gravel or any construction material are a common sight on the main roads and village link roads. Such overloaded vehicles have damaged roads, giving a bumpy ride to those driving light vehicles and two-wheelers.

Raising a concern over the issued, residents of Mubarikpur claimed these vehicles have become a cause of air pollution as well because they leave the area behind engulfed in dust. People, especially elderly and children, face breathing problems due to this, they alleged.

As per local residents, each tipper involved in transportation of sand makes at least two trips during the daytime and is also driven at high speed, posing risk to other commuters.

“Due to the dust raised by transport vehicles, walking along the road has become immensely difficult,” said Balkar Singh, a resident of Mubarikpur.

Residents have appealed to the authorities to look into the matter. They demanded that tippers should ply only at night, adding that vehicles carrying sand or earth be covered with tarpaulin to prevent pollution.

When asked if they issue challan to these uncovered vehicles, traffic personnel replied in negative, claiming that the challan book does not have a mention of such an offence, if any.