In a major move to deter plying of overloaded vehicles on highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided that such vehicles will be taken off roads until the extra load is removed by the transporters.
This will be in addition to levying of penal charges of ten times the applicable fee on overloaded vehicles. So far, the NHAI toll contractors/concessionaires cite lack of space at toll plazas and other practical difficulties for not off-loading such vehicles.
As per instructions issued by the NHAI, the overloaded vehicles will not be allowed to cross toll plazas. They will be towed away and parked at designated place at the owner/driver’s risk and cost. “The vehicle will be released only after the owner/driver pays the penalty equivalent to ten times the applicable fee, undertakes to off-load the extra weight, and pays NHAI charges for towing and parking.
If the vehicle remains unclaimed for seven days, it will be handed over to the concerned police station,” said a NHAI official.
The NHAI has directed all its toll plaza contractors and concessionaires to ensure strict compliance of the instructions. The NHAI has also directed to ensure wide publicity to the instructions through newspaper advertisements and sign boards in English/Hindi/Vernacular languages erected at the toll plazas.
“The latest measures would be effective deterrent in curbing operation of overloaded vehicles on National Highways. These will also ensure further compliance of the ban on overloaded vehicles by the Supreme Court. This move will also significantly bring down road accidents as overloaded vehicles are one of the major contributors to fatal accidents. It will also prevent premature damage to National Highways and bring down vehicular pollution arising out of overloaded goods carriages,” added the official.