Growing unauthorised coal depots in Bhuban NAC very often creates law and order situation for the inhabitants. A gang war among the coal depot owners was so violent a few years back that common people could not dare to walk on the road for a week.
Sources said over 100 coal laden trucks ply on NH 53 every day via Bhuban. On their way of transporting coal from Talcher coal mines to Kalinganagar industrial areas, drivers allegedly drop five quintals of coal per truck at specified places near Bata Tareni Chhak cashew nut forest, college chhak of village Baunsakana and between the college road and a canal road at night. This helps them fetch good earning.
Sources claimed kiln brick units, road side dhabawallas and furnaces preparing puffed rice are the main consumers of such smuggled coal. The illegal turnover is worth Rs5 lakh per day, said sources. Curiously, lanterns are used as signal for the drivers to drop coal. Police after getting their booty act as mute spectators in the whole transaction.
Reportedly, these coals are sent to various plants but there also some venal officials manipulate records pertaining to weight, even as the load is short of 5 to10 quintals.