ISLAMABAD: The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) have barred overloaded vehicles from travelling on highways and motorways in order to prevent road accidents and damage to road infrastructure.

This was decided in a meeting at the NHMP Headquarters, which was presided over by NHMP Inspector General Salman Chaudhry.

During the meeting, it was noted that overloaded vehicles contributed to road accidents and caused damage to road infrastructure; therefore, it was directed that overloaded vehicles shall not be allowed to use motorways and highways, and commuters must obey traffic rules.

The focus of the meeting was the 100pc implementation of axle load control on motorways and highways.

Furthermore, it was informed that 228 cases were registered against those who had not cooperated regarding the implementation of axle loads on the national highways across the country, whereas 81,091 overloaded vehicles were challaned and 16,884 vehicles were returned. Additional goods were also offloaded from thousands of vehicles.

The NHMP head directed the zonal and sector commanders to conduct surprise checking and monitoring to ensure 100pc implementation of the axle load control regime, adding that to control goods overloading, strict implementation should be ensured, especially tyre pressure gauge checking.

He further stated that the motorway police were committed to the complete elimination of overloading from the national highways of the country, for which all resources would be utilised.

It was also mentioned in the meeting that extra goods were being taken off from overloaded vehicles under the supervision of the NHMP at all the weigh stations established on national highways.

Besides, thousands of overloaded vehicles were also being returned with heavy fines.

A strict warning has been given to all the major goods suppliers in Pakistan, markets, cement manufacturing plants, and goods transport companies, informing them in detail about the damage of overloading.

During the meeting, it was told that transport unions and owners of different goods transport companies have been acknowledging the measures taken by the motorway police to control this violation.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2024