Clinker dust emanating from cargo trucks carrying clinker entering Nepal through Birgunj customs has polluted the environment, mostly affecting the health of local people in Birgunj, the locals have complained. 

Besides polluting the environment, the dust has affected human health subjecting the customs office's employees, security guards and locals to health hazards in particular, they said. 

They said covering clinkers with tarpaulins on trucks would not be enough to prevent the dust from flying. 

More than 60 cargo trucks laden with clinkers pass into Nepali territory from India through the customs on a daily basis, said the customs office officer Amit Tiwari. Clinkers are supplied for over 10 cement industries in Bara and Parsa. 

Without other option left, the affected locals and customs office staffers are forced to use masks to protect them from clinker dust. The locals have demanded a proper management for transporting clinkers. RSS