The state government is all set to impose road maintenance charges on cement companies operating in the state.

To work out the modalities, Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has directed the department to compile data pertaining to the number of trucks transporting cement and the road stretch that they are using.

Thousands of trucks ferrying cement bags and clinker ply in Himachal Pradesh on daily basis, which not only caused traffic snarls and raise pollution, but causing severe damage to roads.

Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also indicated to enforce strict norms in dealing with the violations by the cement companies.

The cements companies were causing a huge damage to the virgin environment of the state. Many times locals and people associated with the tourism have complaint to the government accused cement companies for causing pollution in the region. Their concern have also supported by the surveys of Department of Environment, which found that the emission from the trucks and other vehicles is amongst the biggest cause of pollution.

Environmentalists have already echoed their concern at the adverse impact of these trucks on the fragile environment of the state.