Whither axle load policy enforcement?

The developments surrounding the enforcement of the axle load policy, designed to help contain the damage caused to roads and highways by overloaded trucks and trailers, have once again exposed the anarchic state of the road transport sector. When the ministry of road transport and bridges (MoRTB) had tried to enforce the policy last year, the workers manning the prime-movers enforced a strike, forcing the authorities to retreat. A six-month deadline was set to increase the load-bearing capacity of all vehicles by adding extra axles. The deadline expired in the month of April last, but, according to a report published in this paper last Saturday, not a single heavy vehicle has increased its load-bearing capacity until now.

In such a situation, the MoRTB has decided to enforce the axle load policy from November 01 next. In response, the workers manning the prime-movers have threatened to go on strike from today (Sunday) if the ministry goes ahead with the implementation of its decision. They have placed a five-point charter of demands that include cancellation of different slabs of fines for overloading of vehicles and bringing in uniformity in allowable load-limits on all bridges. These issues, actually, concern the owners of trucks and other heavy vehicles, and not the workers. Why are the owners silent? And why are the workers agitating? Then again, one particular member of the cabinet, who is omnipresent in all matters of the road transport sector, has, as usual, taken the side with the agitating workers, confusing the move of the government.

Overloading of goods carriers has been a common sight in this land for decades. The situation has, however, worsened lately. Trucks having capacity of carrying five tonnes are seen carrying goods almost double of that weight. The prime-mover trailers often carry goods well beyond their respective capacities. Such breach of rules has been causing extensive damage to roads and highways, reducing their usual longevity. In the same manner, bridges, both small and big, also remain vulnerable to damage by overloaded trucks and trailers.

Usually, the quality of roads, constructed by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and other agencies, has never been perfect. Thus, the longevity of roads is always well below the officially projected ones. The overloaded trucks and other heavy vehicles, naturally, further affect the durability of roads, highways and bridges. The relevant agencies had overlooked for long the urgency of restraining these vehicles from causing such damage. This has only emboldened the transport operators to go on with their job of damaging the road sector infrastructures with virtual impunity.

However, such negligence on the part of the relevant authorities is found in most areas of the road transport sector. This has led to the rise of an anarchic situation in the entire sector. Thousands of people die on roads and highways across the country every year due to rash driving by the transport workers. With the indulgence from a section of politicians and others, a section of transport workers and owners apparently give a damn to laws and rules. It is time these elements were reined in. Otherwise, things might go out of hand any time.