Sonepur: Illegal coal trade goes on unabated here, but the district administration is yet to show any initiative to curb it. The illegal trade is resulting in revenue loss to the tune of crores to the state exchequer.

Sources said everyday about almost 10 coal-laden trucks from Angul entered the district through various routes. While some trucks enter Birmaharajpur and Subalaya through Redhakhole and Kadaligad, some other takes the route via Jujumura to enter Ulunda.

They cross the Chadeipank bridge over the Mahanadi to enter Rampur and Binika to illegally sell the coal. Other trucks cross the bridge over Tel in Manamunda to enter Sonepur town from Boudh.

With the administration doing nothing to take on the coal mafia, they are carrying on the illegal trader smoothly. Residents here have expressed concern over such indifference of police to tackle the illegal trade.

Town resident Ratnakar Sahu said coal-laden trucks entering Sonepur town was a common scene.

"I often come across coal-laden trucks entering the town. They are carrying on the illegal trade with the police looking the other way," he said. Acting on a tip-off, Sonepur police had raided some trucks coming from Angul a few days ago.

The police seized coal that weighed about 20 tonnes and had arrested some youths in this connection. The cops also seized a Scorpio van from them. The police also seized arms from the car. The raids had stopped the illegal trade for a few days, but the absence of further action helped them restart their business. Sonepur superintendent of police Prafulla Kumar Patra said the police would take severe action against the illegal traders.

"We will form a squad comprising mining officials and cops. The squad will conduct raids on coal-laden trucks entering the district from various routes. The guilty will be taken to task," Patra said.