Vehicles sans weight certificate to miss convoys
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 24 2017:
In view of the dilapidated condition of the bridges on the Imphal-Jiribam highway and frequent break down of Barak Bridge due to movement of 'overloaded' trucks, the State Government has initiated due procedures to leave out trucks without weight certificates from convoys.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore sent a letter to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Secretary and the Union Cabinet Secretary informing that the condition of Imphal-Jiribam has deteriorated due to lack of proper maintenance.
Speaking to media persons at the Old Secretariat conference hall this evening, O Nabakishore informed that the Transport Department has issued a notification today directing all transporters not to load above 24 tonnes in trucks moving along Imphal-Jiribam highway.
The condition of the highway and its bridges are being monitored by the Election Commission of India as any problem on the highway may affect the election process.
The ECI also sought a report on the condition of Barak bridge by 3 pm today and they were informed that repairing of the bridge would be completed today.
Meanwhile, reports received from the BRO informed that the Barak bridge has been repaired and vehicles have started moving over it.
All trucks particularly those carrying cement, steel and railway construction materials have been instructed to measure their weights at the FCI's weight bridge installed at Jiribam.
Police will ensure that all the trucks are measured, informed the Chief Secretary.
Supplies are being transported along Imphal-Jiribam highway with the help of around 40 companies of security forces and the Government's new initiative would not affect the railway project, he maintained.
The DGP has also been instructed to take up FIR cases against overloaded trucks and the transporters who are found carrying additional loads would be asked to do the unloading at their own risk.
Even as the Central Government has issued an order to entrust the construction and maintenance work of Imphal-Jiribam highway to National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDC), the highway has not yet been handed over to NHIDC, said the Chief Secretary.
He said that the State Government has been avoiding Imphal-Dimapur highway as any attempt to clear the blockade using security forces would entail casualties to blockade supporters and other civilians.
O Nabakishore maintained that the two-phase State Assembly election can be held peacefully and all preparations have been completed.
He informed that six companies of Central paramilitary forces would be airlifted from Lucknow to Imphal.
So far, the Central Government has provided 280 companies of Central paramilitary forces for the election.
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