Transport Dept clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 27 2019:
The Transport Department has made some clarifications regarding the allegations made by some groups about its stand on the construction of weight bridge at NH 37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) in both the print and electronic media.
A press release issued today by Transport Commissioner, M Lakshmikumar Singh stated that there was a proposal from the erstwhile Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to the Government during 2015 for limiting the weight of the loaded trucks on Jiribam-Imphal road in view of the weak bailey bridges at Makru and Barak.
After a meeting was convened by then Additional CS (Works) with BRO, Transport Department and some transporter associations, Transport Department issued an order limiting the weight of the loaded tracks and other forms of transport at maximum laden weight of 24 MT while crossing the said bridges, the statement said.
The statement maintained that the High Court had also issued an order restricting the maximum gross vehicle weight (including the weight of the vehicle) at 24 MT in the case of 10 and 12 wheel tracks/tankers and 16.62 MT in the case of 6 wheel vehicles.
The computerised weight slip issued by FCI is the only authentic document on which basis the loaded trucks can pass the said bridges, it conveyed.
It further said that the Transport Director and Jiribam DC issued an order on May 24 and June 4 last year respectively in compliance with the Court's directive for strict compliance of the maximum gross vehicle weight along the Imphal-Jiribam sector by all the stakeholders.
So far as the proposal for installation of a weight bridge by two private parties namely HITOWO and Luwang Weight Bridge at Gulathol, Jiribam is concerned, the Government has not yet taken a decision though it is under active examination in consultation with the Law Department and other agencies, it said and added that National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and BRO are still requesting the State Government to regulate and restrict the weight of the loaded tracks at 24 MT as done already in view of the weak condition of the bridges.