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29 weigh-station to be installed on highways

ISLAMABAD: Under a comprehensive plan to check overloading of heavy wheelers in Pakistan, 29 weigh-stations will be set up on highways within three months.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) sources told APP on Friday that three stations including one at Textile and others on Motorway have already become operational.

A study conducted with the help of the World Bank revealed that heavy vehicles over eight tonne axle weight have damaged highways extensively in Pakistan, causing loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

It was observed that generally trucks with 20 to 24 tonne axle weight ply on highways with no proper legislation and instrument to check them. Over eight tonne axle load is strictly prohibited in other countries, the sources said.

To kick up the campaign 100,000 posters will be put on display on different vantage points on highways and truck parking places throughout the country to apprise drivers about permitted axle weight.

A piece of legislation to impose penalty on violaters has already been sent to the Law Ministry for vetting.

A seminar at Mandara on Saturday, to be presided over by National Highway Authority Chairman Maj Gen Viqar-ul-Haq Khalid (Retd), will be participated by transporters to create awareness against the menace of overloading. National Security Council Member Shafi Niaz will be the chief guest. APP