Govt announces zero tolerance for overloading on highways

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, the government has announced to enforce a rigorous axle load control regime on highways and motorways from November 15 to do away with overloading which badly damage the road infrastructure.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Federal Secretary of Communications, Sher Alam Mehsud and National Highways and Motorway Police Inspector-General Sultan Ali Khowaja at the Central Police Office in Islamabad.

The meeting focused on the implementation of a comprehensive and a 100 per cent axle load control regime (ALCR) on motorways and highways throughout Pakistan.

A unanimous decision was reached to enforce the axle load control regime without any relaxation starting from November 15.

Achieving 100 per cent compliance with this regime will necessitate the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, the meeting observed.

Sher Alam Mehsud underscored the dire consequences of overloading on national highways, emphasizing the considerable damage and financial losses incurred by the government.

Goods transporters threaten nationwide strike

Plans were outlined in the meeting for offloading excess cargo under the supervision of motorway police. It was decided that the National Highways Authority would construct warehouses to secure the offloaded goods.

The full implementation of the axle load control regime across national highways will involve the imposition of substantial fines on vehicles exceeding the prescribed weight, coupled with stringent legal action.

IG Motorway Police, Sultan Ali Khowaja, drew attention to the presence of 210 weigh stations, including 14 mobile units, situated on motorways and highways across the country.

The federal secretary of communications pledged full support to the National Highways and Motorway Police in ensuring the successful implementation of the 100 per cent ALCR.

He also made it clear that no concessions would be granted to goods vehicles after November 15 and any violators would face severe legal consequences and substantial fines.

The meeting urged transporters and drivers to adhere to the prescribed axle load limits.