Kevitho Kera
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Notification (Government of India) Specification of Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight and the Maximum Safe Axle Weight S.O.728 (E), dated 18.10.1996- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (I) of section 58 of the Motor Vehicles Act,1988 (59 of 1988) and in supersession of the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Surface Transport S.O. No.479 (E), dated the 4th July, 1996, the Central Government hereby specifies that in relation to the transport vehicles (other than motor cabs) of various categories detailed in the Schedule below the maximum gross vehicle weight and the maximum safe axle weight of each axle of such vehicles shall, having regard to the size, nature and number of tyres and maximum weight permitted to be carried by the tyres as per rule 95 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules,1989, be- (i) vehicle manufacturers rating of the gross vehicle weight and axle weight respectively for each make and model as duly certified by the testing agencies for compliance of rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules,1989, or (ii) the maximum gross vehicle weight and the maximum safe axle weight of each vehicle respectively as specified in the Schedule below for the relevant category, or (iii) The maximum load permitted to be carried by the tyre(s) as specified in the rule 95 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules,1989, for the size and number of the tyres fitted on the axle (s) of the relevant make and model, whichever is less: Provided that the maximum gross vehicle weight in respect of all such transport vehicles, including multi-axle vehicles shall not be more than the sum total of all the maximum safe axle weight put together subject to the restrictions, if any, on the maximum gross vehicle weight given in the said schedule.
And there are more but let me focus on the trucks plying in the National highways cutting across our States.
Trucks tilting to the sides especially on the curves and bad patches are common. A life has already be taken because a truck tilted to the side in the Khuzama portion of National Highway and fell on the Mahindra Bolero crushing the ill fated driver to death. The other day i saw a truck tilted on the sides crushing the back portion of a Maruti Alto but luckily the driver portion was spared.
I am sure such incidents are common on the Roads in Nagaland due to excess tonnage carried by the trucks. Is there a system or a mechanism checking on the tonnage capacity of the trucks plying on our roads? The stretch from Dimapur to Kohima is really bad due to the Four lane highway construction. I go to Kohima occasionally; I am always scared as the heavy trucks go past me. Anytime they might tilt over and crush me to death.
Even if they are following the rules, for the time being that is until the completion of four lane highway the tonnage capacity needs to be reduced for everyone's safety.
Are we waiting for freak deaths to happen more to look into this issue or will the Government do something. I am sure since anything is possible in Nagaland, trucks are carrying excess weight.
