Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industry body seeks subsidy for truck operators

Ambika Sharma

Solan, February 15

The Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) Industries Association has demanded a subsidy scheme for truck operators and the rationalisation of freight to make the industry competitive in the state.

To contain pollution in the BBN area, the association has also sought proper management and disposal of scrap and the registration of dealers. In memorandum submitted to the state government, the association has stated that scrap is transported to adjoining Haryana and sold there. Most of the dealers dispose of hazardous material in the Sirsa river and pollute underground water.

The association has stressed the need for setting up a municipal corporation for the BBN area to ensure its unified development. It has also sought a master plan for the area having modern housing facilities and infrastructure with the help of Central funds.

The introduction of electric buses in the local transport system to reduce air pollution, channelling of nullahs for rainwater harvesting and checking the depleting water level and streetlights in the entire BBN area are the others demands put forward in the memorandum.

The association has also raised demands like proper civic waste collection and disposal and the construction of the Nalagarh-Siswan road. It has urged the government to open a super-specialty hospital in the BBN area.

It has laid stress on the rationalisation of freight charges by introducing a subsidy scheme for truck operators. The association has said that freight in the BBN area is exorbitant due to truckers’ cartelisation.

It has also demanded the abolition of state-specific levies like Additional Goods Tax and Certain Goods Carried by Road Tax. Investors say that taxes isolate Himachal from other states and are contrary to the one product one tax concept.