SHILLONG, May 14: As many as 67 out of the 169 weighbridges under the Legal Metrology Department are currently non-functional, accounting for a failure rate of nearly 40%, RTI activist Napoleon Mawphniang revealed on Monday.
He termed the issue as a sign of systemic regulatory breakdown, with concerns about the lack of operational weighbridges along the GS Road to check coal trucks, leading to rampant overloading. Mawphniang argued that this constitutes a “negative externality” where the public bears the cost of road damage and safety risks while private players reap the profits.
He also criticised the department for failing to implement basic accountability mechanisms and alleged zero prosecutions for overloaded coal trucks, suggesting possible regulatory capture by vested commercial interests. He also highlights the non enforcement of the 9-metric-ton limit for 2-axle trucks, posing threats to both the environment and public safety.
He suggested recommendations which include installing and operating weighbridges specifically for coal monitoring along GS Road, implementing RFID-based tracking systems, creating a joint enforcement task force with the Transport and Mining departments, and publishing monthly compliance reports detailing overloading statistics and enforcement actions.
Mawphniang called for a comprehensive investigation into the department, focusing on alleged measurement fraud and other violations.
He demanded a robust monitoring mechanism, disciplinary action against officials responsible for persistent enforcement failures, and an independent commission to audit the department’s operations, staffing, and compliance.
