Meghalaya HC asks Govt to increase weighbridges, checking against overloaded vehicles

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 3, 2023

The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday asserted the need to increase the number of weighbridges and checking places besides introduction of weigh-pads to check against overloaded vehicles plying on the state or national highways.

“As observed earlier, the number of weighbridges and checking places should be increased,” the division bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh said in its order passed after hearing a PIL filed by Tennydard M Marak.

“Indeed, electronic weigh-pads as indicated by the State should be introduced at several more places, including places where boulders are carried and roads leading to the land customs stations,” it added.

The bench also hoped that the 23 weighbridges that the State promised to make functional would be in place before the matter appears next.

“In addition, weigh-pads, which, according to the State, would cost Rs 27 lakh each, should also be procured to be used at strategic points,” it said.

A report filed by the State on the matter indicated that awareness programmes have been conducted among officials and other stakeholders to ensure that overloaded vehicles don’t take to the State or national highways in Meghalaya.

A press release was also issued on April 17, 2023, indicating the types of vehicles, the axle combination of such vehicles and the revised permissible net weight for each category.

The press release, issued under Section 194 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, also provides for excess load being offloaded immediately upon discovery at the owner’s or transporter’s cost.

Meanwhile, the bench has directed the State to file a further report before June 16.