Daltonganj: Over 200 shops and business establishments in Balumath town in Latehar district kept their shutters down on Friday to protest the dust pollution and traffic congestion caused by the movement of coal-laden and empty tipper trucks on NH-22, which pass through the market area.Locals said dust pollution caused by the movement of trucks frequenting the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) collieries in the area is causing respiratory problems among locals.Chandrakant Gupta, a local trader, said, “Round-the-clock movement of coal vehicles from nearby CCL collieries has made life difficult for residents and shopkeepers. We are not against coal mining, but a bypass for the market area is essential.”Latehar deputy commissioner (DC) Sandip Kumar said the grievances of Balumath traders were genuine as NH-22 serves as a key route for coal transportation. Kumar said the absence of suitable land has complicated plans for a bypass road.DC said coal operators have been directed to intensify water sprinkling on the highway at two-hour intervals to curb dust pollution and urged them to undertake community welfare measures. He also admitted that encroachment along NH-22 remains a major challenge.Balumath police station officer-in charge Anubhav Sinha said the shutdown remained peaceful and no law-and-order problem was reported.
