Whip cracked to neutralise disadvantages of FCI trucks on NH-37
Weigh in to be made mandatory
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2011: With most six wheeler trucks with FCI specified body, opting to transport cement and iron rod along NH-37, the State Government has decided to make weigh in of all trucks at the weighing bridge at Jiribam mandatory.

With the Supreme Court of India decreeing that trucks should not transport more than 9 tonnes at a time while moving along the National Highways, most of the six wheeler trucks with FCI specified body type have opted to transport cement and iron rods, which exceed the 9 tonnes limit and thereby earn more per trip.

The rate of transporting rice from the FCI godown at Jiribam to Imphal has been fixed at Rs 25 thousand per trip, while in the case of cement and iron rods, the rate has been fixed at Rs 45 thousand per trip.

The weight of the goods transported also exceeds the 9 tonnes limit with each truck transporting anywhere upto 15 tonnes per trip.

To offset the disadvantage faced by the FCI and to ensure that the buffer stock of rice in the State is not compromised, the State Government has decided to make it mandatory for all trucks to report to the weighing bridge at Jiribam so that all stick to the 9 tonnes norms.

Road condition at NH-37 :: File Photo

The decision to make the weigh in mandatory and ensure that the FCI too gets a level playing field was taken during a meeting presided by the Chief Minister today evening.

Transporters also attended the meeting.

Speaking to The Sangai Express a reliable source said that the rice requirement of the State in a month is 17,500 metric tonnes.

In all, 150 FCI specified body trucks are needed to ensure buffer stock for the State, while 75 such trucks are needed at a go to lift the monthly requirement.

During the meeting the Area Manager of the FCI made it clear that to ensure a level playing field for the FCI, it was important that all trucks ferrying goods on the highway stick to the 9 tonnes specification.

Noting that if the number of trucks with the FCI is increased to 150 then all the rice meant for the State may be lifted without incurring any backlogs, the Director of CAF and PD was asked to instruct the officials of his department at Jiribam to direct all the six wheeler trucks to report at the weigh in bridge at Jiribam.

The Chief Minister also asked the Transport Director to prepare a detailed report on the number of tankers burnt during the ongoing economic blockade and accordingly to prepare a Cabinet memo.

After perusing the report, the Cabinet will decide what aid or help may be extended for the burnt tankers.

On the process of recovery of vehicles which break down on the Imphal-Jiribam route, the DGP who was also present at the meeting, informed that the Transport Department has provided a 15 tonne recovery vehicle.

Giving details, he said that once a vehicle breaks down, the message is sent to the nearest sector along the 220 km stretch of the National Highway.

From the sector, the message is then relayed to the Police Headquarters which in turn pass on the message to the ROP party.

Among others, Works Minister K Ranjit, CAF and PD Minister N Biren, PDA Chairman N Loken, Principal Secretary Transport etc attended the meeting.

Representatives of different transporters' body were also present.