TDC questions tonnage limit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2019: The Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) has questioned the tonnage limit of 24 tonnes imposed on goods carriers plying on Imphal-Jiribam highway.

Speaking to media persons at their MG Avenue office today, TDC president H Ranjit asked as to why the Central Motor Vehicle Act should not be applied on Imphal-Jiribam highway (NH 37).Even though the highway has improved to some extent since it was taken over by NHIDCL from BRO, the bridges have seen no improvement so far, Ranjit said.

He alleged that police and other authorities have been harassing transporters and drivers plying along the highway by taking undue advantage of the notification issued by the Transport Secretary on February 23, 2015 which was based on a fabricated report.

Challenging the particular notification, the TDC filed a PIL.

Based on the Government's notification and the TDC's PIL, the Highway Administration, Guwahati issued an order on May 12, 2017 whereby the tonnage of all vehicles plying on Imphal-Jiribam was fixed at 24 tonnes, Ranjit said.

He then asked on what basis it was said that the Barak Bridge was fit for vehicles which weigh 24 tonnes or lesser.

TDC's legal advisor sent a legal notice to the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) which built the Barak Bridge.

The TDC received a reply from GRSE on August 28, 2018 and it categorically stated that the Barak Bridge is fit for vehicles which weigh as much as 40 tonnes.

Ranjit accused the NHIDCL of sending false report to the Highway Administration Guwahati by claiming that the Barak Bridge is fit for vehicles which weigh only 24 tonnes or lesser.

According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on July 18, 2018, trucks with six axles can carry 19 tonnes, those with 10 axles can carry 28.5 tonnes while trucks with 12 axles can carry up to 36 tonnes, Ranjit said.

The tonnage limit of 24 tonnes imposed on all vehicles plying along Imphal-Jiribam highway is a conspiracy between Transport Department, NHIDCL and Highway Administration Guwahati, he alleged.

Pointing out that the company which constructed the Barak Bridge said that the bridge is fit for vehicles which weigh as much as 40 tonnes, the TDC president demanded that trucks should be allowed to carry loads permitted by the Central Motor Vehicles Act.

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