Coal trucks finally allowed to pass through South Kalimantan downtown

South Kalimantan Governor Sjachriel Dirham finally dropped the government January 2000 ruling, which prohibited coal trucks from passing through the provincial downtown, according to Kapos daily in its Friday edition.

Sjachriel cancelled the ruling particularly because the Southern artery road was not fully completed. The coal trucks were supposed to use this road instead of downtown road, which created pollution and risk accident.

But Sjahriel also issued strict requirements for the truck to pass through the public roads including a strict passing schedule of between 10 in the evening and 6 in the morning and limited speed of 30 km per hour.

Many of the coal trucks passing through the public roads are those owned by illegal miners. Large coal firms have developed their own road route.

Many have expressed criticism toward plans to cancel the January 2000 ruling.(*)