TDC questions Transport Commissioner
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 27 2019:
Transport and Drivers Council (TDC) has questioned why the Commissioner of Transport is trying to protect the collection of money from the drivers for using a private weight bridge along Imphal-Jiribam road.
Speaking to media persons at TDC office today, its president H Ranjit claimed that it is not the responsibility of the Transport Commissioner to meddle in the issue regarding the construction of a weight bridge along Imphal-Jiribam National Highway.
The said road is the responsibility of the Indian Government and the works are to be handled by the Highway Administration, he explained.
Questioning why two firms were contacted in secrecy regarding the construction of the weight bridge and also why the public was not notified, Ranjit said that the State Transport Department has business when it comes to the National Highways.
The Weight and Measure Department should handle the measuring of weight etc as such the establishment of weight bridge is their job, he explained.
He further questioned why the weight bridge, which was allegedly constructed without necessary approval from the Government, is not removed till date by the Commissioner of Transport.
There was no meeting between Additional Chief Secretary (Works), BRO, Transport Department and transport associations regarding fixing of weight limit at 24 tonnes and neither did TDC participate in any such meeting, he claimed.
Ranjit clarified that TDC did write to DC Jiribam on May 30 last year to weigh the vehicles along the road following the diversion of the goods laden trucks/vehicles along the Imphal-Jiribam road following the loss of connectivity at Imphal-Dimapur road due to landslide.
On the other hand, he questioned what the Transport Commissioner has done for the drivers and transporters when the National Highways experienced landslides or any other calamities.
TDC will always stand for the welfare of the drivers and transporters, he added.