PIL seeks to end overloading of heavy vehicles

Gujarat high court on Wednesday sought reply from the state government in response to a PIL that demanded curb on overloading of heavy vehicles – trucks and buses on state roads for the purpose of road safety.

Gujarat high court on Wednesday sought reply from the state government in response to a PIL that demanded curb on overloading of heavy vehicles – trucks and buses on state roads for the purpose of road safety.

The PIL was filed by a social worker from Viramgam, Rajesh Kareliya. He has argued that overloading of vehicles causes not only environmental hazards, but also results in huge number of accidents and damage to roads. It reduces lifespan of highways and increases burden on state’s exchequer.

Petitioner’s advocate, Mauleen Marfatiya, said that the Supreme Court has issued guidelines in this regard and had set up a monitoring committee to ensure road safety and to curb plying of overloaded vehicles. A notification was also issued in 2014 by state government’s Road & Building division.

The petitioner maintained that the National Highway Authority of India has made it mandatory for all toll booth contractors to keep weighing machines near toll plaza and charge surplus from the violators of norms. But this norm is not followed. He has urged the court to direct authorities to compel such contractors and other concerned people to install more weighing machines to curb overloading of vehicles.

PIL seeks to end overloading of heavy vehicles

The PIL has demanded effective implementation of prevailing motor vehicle laws and to expedite passing of pending legislative measures which are required to ensure public safety. The petitioner submitted that there are provisions for punishment for those who violate norms and ply overloaded vehicles. Court has scheduled further hearing on this issue next month.

Source: http://goo.gl/rrwKxQ