The unchecked movement of overloaded trucks on roads in Kangra district continues to pose a grave threat to public safety while inflicting extensive damage to the road infrastructure, including bridges and culverts built at enormous public expenses. According to The Tribune India, this problem has been ongoing despite clear legal provisions.
Routine Violations of Load Limits in Kangra
Despite clear provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act, trucks and tippers transporting sand, gravel, grit and other construction material from stone crushers and industrial units routinely operate with loads far exceeding the prescribed limits. While most rural, district and internal road bridges in the hill state are designed to withstand loads of only 12 tonnes to 15 tonnes, many heavy vehicles are frequently found carrying between 20 tonnes and 30 tonnes.
Official Admission of the Problem
A senior official of the State Transport Department admits that overloading is one of the major challenges facing the region. The official acknowledged that the situation is serious and that current enforcement measures have not been sufficient to stop the practice.
"A senior official of the State Transport Department admits that overloading is one of the..." — The Tribune India
Impact on Public Safety and Infrastructure
The overloaded trucks are not only a danger to other road users but are also causing rapid deterioration of roads, bridges, and culverts. These structures, built at significant public expense, are being damaged far faster than intended because of the excessive weight they are forced to bear. The situation is particularly dangerous on narrow hill roads where the risk of accidents is higher.
Our Take: A Crisis of Enforcement in Kangra
This is not a new problem, but it is one that has clearly been allowed to fester. The fact that a senior transport official admits overloading is a major issue, yet the practice continues unchecked, points to a failure of enforcement. The rules under the Motor Vehicles Act are clear, and the damage to public infrastructure is both visible and costly. In our view, the authorities in Kangra need to move beyond admitting the problem and start taking concrete action. Regular checks, strict penalties, and perhaps even the use of weigh-in-motion technology are needed to protect both the public and the roads they pay for. The lives of people in Kangra should not be put at risk because of unchecked commercial greed.
