By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 23: The state government may engage the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong to suggest checkpoints at strategic places to check the plying of overladen goods vehicles.
An August 22 report filed by the Tourism secretary before the High Court of Meghalaya said there are 28 operational weighbridges at checkpoints notified by the state government.
The report further said 24 of these 28 weighbridges are controlled by the Transport Department while four were set up by the Mining and Geology Department. It added that the IIM, Shillong, may be asked to suggest more checkpoints. “There appears to be some action taken by the state to control the overloading of goods vehicles plying on the National and State Highways in Meghalaya, including vehicles carrying minerals,” the court said.
In addition, the Transport Department placed orders for six weigh-pads and two of these have been received. One of the weighing pads has been installed at Dalu and the other is being installed in Ri-Bhoi’s Umtyrnga. The court hoped the remaining four weigh-pads would be installed within the next six weeks.
“At any rate, the mere fact that there may be 28 weighbridges and six weigh-pads may not count for anything unless regular and honest checking is undertaken. The several points where the weighbridges and weigh-pads are installed should be monitored by CCTV so that the weights indicated cannot be tampered with or overweight goods vehicles allowed to pass on extraneous considerations,” the court said.
The court also said that the origin and source of the minerals carried by the goods vehicles should be ascertained at the checkpoints.
The case was subsequently closed with the petitioner given the liberty to apply afresh if the state is found lacking in keeping a check on overloading.