Overloaded trucks take heavy toll on highways

vinder Sood

Palampur, May 26

Despite the fact that the state government is aware of the damage to its highways every year by overloaded trucks, state agencies are yet to take action against defaulters.

The Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT) has cautioned the state governments all over the country against overloading of vehicles. It has further suggested to invoke the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act which empowers the state government to impound trucks and detain drivers. However, till date the State Transport Department and the traffic police are yet to swing into action.

According to a study, 10 per cent overloading by trucks entail an additional maintenance cost of Rs 25 lakh per km over and above the normal maintenance cost.

The government had made necessary amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act which authorises state governments to penalise the consignor and the owner of the truck. The Centre has also written to the states to initiate action against the defaulters.

As per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act, no truck in Himachal Pradesh can carry more than nine-tonne goods as the bridges and culverts can’t bear more than the stipulated weight. But trucks carrying cement, steel, clinker, building material, heavy equipment for power projects are openly flouting the Act resulting in heavy damage to roads.

Sources said over 20,000 trucks and dumpers belonging to cement plants and power projects carry load between 15 and 25 tonnes. Four cement plants in the state and construction of 100 small and major hydel projects have further aggravated the situation.

Following failure on the part of government agencies, the state is facing losses between Rs 3,000 cr and Rs 4,000 cr every year. The Kalka- Shimla, Kiratpur-Manali, Shimla-Kangra and Pathankot-Mandi and Pathankot-Chamba highways are the worst affected where dozens of culverts and bridges were damaged.

Weighing machines installed, at a high cost by the government, at entry points of the state are either out of order or not used by the officers posted on these barriers.

Can’t carry over 9 tonnes 

• As per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act, no truck in Himachal can carry more than nine-tonne goods
• But trucks carrying cement, steel, clinker, building material, heavy equipment for power projects are flouting the Act, resulting in heavy damage to roads.
• According to a study, 10 per cent overloading by trucks entail an additional maintenance cost of Rs 25 lakh per km