Crackdown on heavy vehicles, school buses

The Regional Transport Officer (RTO) issued 31 challans on heavy vehicles plying on roads in the Ghannaur and Sanour areas for traffic violations and imposed fines amounting to Rs 7.29 lakh. These heavy vehicles were using such routes to avoid Shambhu Toll Plaza.

RTO Babandeep Singh Walia said, “Action will be taken against commercial and heavy vehicles plying on the Ghannaur-Ambala City via Kapuri-Loh Simbli road.” He explained that heavy vehicles not only cause significant damage to smaller roads, but also lead to major accidents.

Walia said the Executive Engineer of the Provincial Division-2 of the Public Works Department had brought the issue to their attention, through a letter, that heavy vehicles and tipper trucks from Haryana were using the Ghannaur-Ambala City via Kapuri-Loh Simbli road to evade taxes.

This was causing damage to roads in the area and also resulting in revenue loss for the government. Consequently, light vehicles and local residents were also facing significant difficulties.

The RTO further stated that their enforcement wing took action against heavy vehicles and illegal tipper trucks. He said on the first day, 17 challans were issued to vehicles, which included one tourist bus, two mini-buses, three school buses, four overloaded tipper trucks and canters, one for no seatbelt/document and five for commercial misuse, with a fine amounting to Rs 3.32 lakh. Today, 14 challans were issued, including nine for overloading, one for a school bus without documents, two for illegal width and two for unauthorised commercial use of vehicles, with a total fine of Rs 3.97 lakh, the RTO said.