COIMBATORE: Transport Department officials have intensified the drive against overloading of heavy vehicles in Coimbatore zone and in four months, collected Rs 45.44 lakh as fine from 1,652 vehicles found overloaded.
From November 2014 to February 2015, they checked 11,381 goods vehicles in the zone, which includes Coimbatore, Tirupur and Nilgiris districts. Of the total fine of Rs 45,44,575, they collected Rs 39,86,540 on the spot. Notices were issued to the owners who could not pay on the spot.
“The drive has brought the practice under control,” said a Transport official, adding, “Overloading of vehicles leads to road accidents and loss of lives. The crackdown on such vehicles will continue as part of the drive to reduce road accidents”.
K R Arumugham, president, Coimbatore Lorry Owners Association, welcomed the drive. “Overloading causes loss of revenue to the government and damages roads and vehicles. It is the main reason for the increase in road accidents on highways as break system fails due to the extra weight,” he said.
“To make the rule more effective, goods being carried above the permitted limit should be unloaded on the spot as soon as it is found. The vehicle should be made to return for another trip. Or the owners should hire another lorry to carry the excess load. Allowing the vehicles to proceed with the extra load after fining them will not control the practice completely. The owners will test their luck next time about getting caught by officials,” he added.
Occasional vehicle checks will not result in a permanent change. Vehicle owners will begin the usual overloading within a few days following the drive, said a building-material supplier from Coimbatore.
“If officials begin a crackdown, lorry owners will stop their operations for a few days. They may also pay fine once and operate for many days, as the Transport officials do not conduct frequent checks. Besides, most of the time, drivers pay bribes and get away,” he added.
He also wanted the drive to be conducted across the State regularly.