Transporters state stand on weight bridge
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 28 2019 2019:
All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union has appealed to all the NGOs, clubs and Meira Paibi associations concerned not to exert undue pressure for reopening the weight bridge which is located at Jiribam.
Speaking to media persons at its office at MG Avenue today, its acting president H Kulamani said that due to the deplorable condition of the Imphal-Jiribam road, the drivers of the union and Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) have been working hard since 2013, to make the road accessible for the vehicles plying along the road.
The two associations have also been pressuring the Government (both Centre and State) as well as the work agencies when it comes to repair and maintenance of the road, he added.
Stating that TDC and the association are closely monitoring the bridges present along the said route, he said that an agreement was reached with TDC some months back concerning the weight bridge at Jiribam, in view of the possible inconveniences which can be caused by the said bridges to the drivers who are plying along the road with goods.
Clarifying that the report concerning demand for reopening the weight bridge published in some local dailies has no merit, he explained that none of the transporters are carrying goods over the weight limits.
All the trucks have paid necessary taxes and posses the challans, he said informing that trucks and other vehicles which do not exceed 24/25 tonne in weight can ply along the road as per the Motor Vehicles Act.
He then informed that the trucks cross the bridges after carefully monitoring the condition of the bridge in question and by reducing the weight if need be as the people of the State will suffer if the bridges collapse and the goods and essential commodities fail to reach their destination.
The trucks are also checked if they posses the necessary challans, he added.
Kulamani then condemned the demand for reopening the weight bridge which seems to have been put forward under some kind of pressure from people with vested interest and appealed to the State Government to look into the matter at the earliest.
He further urged all to wait and see what decision the Central and State Government take concerning the weight bridge.