A parliamentary panel while taking serious notice of overloaded vehicles using the national highways across the country has directed the National Highways Authority (NHA) to strictly implement rules regarding overloaded vehicles.

A sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications met here on Friday under the chairmanship of Senator Fida Mohammad and directed the NHA to fully apply 2018 notification in connection with overloaded vehicles.

The committee took notice of depression on highways and roads due to overloading and stressed the need for fixing responsibility. The committee was assured that the issue will be investigated.

Briefing the panel, the senior officials of the NHA said that vehicle tampering is a major issue being faced by the authority. The committee members also stressed the need for incentives to transporters so that they can avoid overloading.

The meeting also reviewed the details of the toll tax collection and maintenance of Grand Trunk Road from Lahore to Islamabad and various issues pertaining to it. The committee especially focused on weight stations.

Deliberating over details of revenue collected from toll plazas on National Highways and Motorways and maintenance of GT Road between Lahore and Islamabad, the committee while reviewing the details directed the NHA to submit details of the last two years. The committee was informed that since toll tax is used for maintenance of roads and highways, aversion in some areas to it is a major impediment. The committee stressed the need for legislation in this regard.

The meeting was attended by Senator Muhammad Yousaf Badini, Senator Dr Ashok Kumar, Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Sheikh and senior officers of the Ministry Communication and the NHA along with all the concerned.

The committee was of the view that it along with the ministry must strive to provide relief to the people of Pakistan. The panel also stressed the need for transparency and said that it is important that all efforts lead to the truth.

Discussing details of weigh stations, the committee was informed that there are a total of 161 weigh stations all over Pakistan on the national highways. Convener committee, Senator Fida Muhammad inquired about the weight stations on the Islamabad Peshawar route.

He was informed that the weight station in Islamabad was demolished due to construction of Metro Bus route, while it is not operational in Peshawar. The committee was informed that strict measures are being taken to ensure that transporters follow regulations.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019