Govt plans weigh bridges at entry,exit points of highways

The cost of each weigh bridge is estimated to be around Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2 crore,and a complete survey of all entry and exit points to highways across the country has been ordered by the ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH).

“The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and state governments have been asked to survey the number of entry and exit points across the country and revert to us,” a MORTH official said.

The investment involved is likely to be high,with over 70,000 km of national highways in the country and every highway having multiple entry and exit points.

“To begin with,we are asking private concessionaires to set up these weigh bridges. Later,a mode will be worked out for engineering procurement construction projects as well,” the official said. Overloaded vehicles not only lessen the life span of the road by 10-20 per cent but also increase the chances of accidents on the highway.

“We have also asked states to cease over loaded vehicles and take action against the driver and owner of the vehicle,” the official said. Some of the states had been simply fining errant drivers and leaving them but a 2004 directive of the Supreme Court suggests that good must be off-loaded from a over loaded vehicle.