File picture of a jam-packed NH-5 (A)

Paradip, March 24: Authorities have decided to enforce an 11-day ban from April 10 on the movement of ore-laden trucks on NH-5 (A), the principal road connecting mineral-rich areas to Paradip port, to ensure a peaceful election.

Mining activities would also remain suspended in the mine-rich belts of the state during this time, said an official.

Unregulated plying of ore-laden trucks on this road often results in terrible traffic congestion, which paralyses the lives of those staying along the highway in Kendrapara.

A high-powered committee, headed by revenue divisional commission (central), has come to a decision to stop the ore transportation by this road from April 10 to April 20. Mining will also remain suspended during this period, said Kendrapara collector Ratnakar Rout.

The Paradip Port Trust authorities have been apprised of the ore transportation regulation and asked to rejig their cargo-handling operations. The move is intended to make the forthcoming polls a smooth affair.

Excessive number of trucks on this road is bound to affect the movement of polling teams and the campaigning process. This has prompted the authorities to enforce the prohibition, Rout said.

The district administration will ensure the ban is imposed, said the official.

The ore-laden trucks from mineral-rich districts such as Jajpur, Keonjhar and Sundargarh make their way to Paradip port through the 82km expressway. Thousands of trucks make life miserable for people living along the highway.

“Instructions have been issued to the collectors of Jajpur, Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts to stop loading of ores during the 11-day prohibition period. The state mining directorate has also been directed to ensure that no mining activity takes place during this period.