DLP Report
PESHAWAR
An important meeting held here on Tuesday with Law Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate Aftab Alam in the chair, reviewed steps curbing overloaded vehicles on provincial highways and the effective enforcement of axle load control.
The meeting was attended by Special Assistants to the Chief Minister for Communication and Works (C&W), Muhammad Sohail Afridi, Special Assistant on Industries, Abdul Karim Tordher, Special Assistant on Transport, Haji Rangrez, along with the Secretary of C&W, and the Managing Director of the Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority (PKHA), as well as other relevant officials.
During the meeting, participants shared their views on the issues caused by overloaded vehicles and the risks associated with them.
Special Assistant for Transport Haji Rangrez suggested that weight-checking stations be established directly at the sources in mineral-rich areas so that control can be exercised from the beginning.
Special Assistant for C&W, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, proposed that upon violation of the standards not only should heavy vehicles be fined, but their goods should also be confiscated and auctioned in order to bring real change to the system.
Special Assistant for Industries, Abdul Karim Tordher, emphasized that the entire system for checking the weight of overloaded vehicles should be digitized to ensure transparency and improve efficiency.
At the end of the meeting, Law Minister Advocate Aftab Alam stated that the current fines for overloaded vehicles are insufficient. He said that the departments of communication, minerals, and transport must work together to effectively control the issue of overloading. He further added that not only should fines be imposed on such vehicles, but their licenses should also be revoked, and any overload exceeding 15% will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The Law Minister directed all relevant departments to submit their recommendations and practical plans as soon as possible to protect the province’s roads from damage and improve the traffic system.
