SHILLONG: The Transport department has taken over as many as 10 private weighbridges in the State due to the failure of the lessees to complete payment of all pending government dues.
Commissioner of Transport I.W. Ingty in an order issued on Tuesday directed the district transport officers to take over such weighbridges by Wednesday.
The ten lessees who have had their weighbridges taken over include – Chela Pala, licensee of Dawki weighbridge, Amstrong Paliar (Mawpun weighbridge), M.S. Nongbri (Bagli weighbridge), Haphibansuk Wankhar (Borsora weighbridge), Badapkupar Marbaniang (Ratacherra weighbridge), Patricia Sympli (Byndihati weighbridge), Tangkam M. Sangma (Gasuapara weighbridge), G. Handerson Syiemlieh (Cherragoan weighbridge), Memjulet Passah (7th Mile weighbridge) and Gavin M. Mylliem (Umling weighbridge).
The weighbridges to be taken over by the DTOs are those in West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.
Meanwhile, president of Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners’ and Operators’ Association, Augustine Shanpru, expressed surprise at the sudden taking over and shutting down of all private weighbridges in the State, which he said has caused lot of inconveniences to the truckers.
He said that vehicles are left with no option but to transport the unknown quantity of goods to other states.
“The moment we enter another state, MVI officials there ask us about weight certificate from the government weighbridge in the state of origin and we have to pay hefty amount of money as fines to MVIs for no fault of our own,” he said.
