Overloaded trucks ravage state roads amid official negligence

In the absence of strict enforcement by state agencies, overloaded trucks in Himachal Pradesh continue to cause massive damage to roads, bridges and culverts, all built at a high cost. In hill states like Himachal, most rural and district roads and bridges are designed to bear loads of only 12 to 15 tonnes. However, trucks and tippers on these roads often carry 15 to 30 tonnes, openly violating the law. This overloading not only leads to fatal accidents but also results in extensive damage to road infrastructure.

A few days ago, a bridge in the Kullu Valley collapsed under the weight of overloaded truck carrying cement. Previously, another bridge over the Beas in Kullu district gave way while a heavy truck was transporting equipment for a power project. These are not isolated incidents—numerous bridges across the state have either collapsed or sustained damage due to overloaded vehicles.

A senior official from the state transport department admitted that trucks transporting cement, marble, clinker, tiles, steel, and other construction materials regularly flout the Motor Vehicles Act by carrying loads far beyond the permissible limit. He pointed out that the situation is particularly severe in the border areas of Himachal, where tippers and trucks routinely lift 20 to 30 tons of material such as stone, sand, and grit from crushers. In districts like Una and Nurpur, the damage caused to roads and bridges by overloaded trucks is reported to be alarming.

Shockingly, out of 100 challans issued by traffic police and the RTO, only five relate to overloading; the remaining 95% are for other violations. This reflects the lack of serious action against one of the major causes of road damage in the state.

In contrast, states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have enforced a strict ban on overloaded trucks. Trucks crossing borders in these states cannot carry more than 15 tons, and violators face a minimum fine of Rs 10,000. Weighing machines at interstate barriers are mandatory, and each is manned by a District Transport Officer.

Unfortunately, Himachal Pradesh’s interstate weighing machines are either dysfunctional or not used at all. Despite being aware of the issue, state officials fail to act, allowing the destruction to continue unchecked.

Himachal Tribune