Meghalaya: 5-Axle Lorries From Bhutan Violate Road Rules In Garo Hills

TURA: Hundreds of boulder-laden trucks from the kingdom of Bhutan are violating surface transport and highway laws as they pass through the Garo Hills with their cargo bound for Bangladesh by replacing the permitted three-axle trucks with five-axle lorries that can carry a heavier load. This shortens the lifespan of the roads and inflicts losses in revenue for the state.

Dozens of lorries loaded with rocks have been making their way into Meghalaya's Garo Hills every night from the past week from the neighbouring state of Assam. The consignment was originally intended to be carried by just three axle trucks with the government's permission, but the larger five axle vehicles have since taken their place.

It is worth noting that the trucks are currently travelling to Dalu, a border town in Bangladesh, via the Paikan to Tura National Highway 217 route. The quickest way to get to the neighbouring country is by this route.

In the past, all vehicles carrying boulders in Bhutan had to travel through Garobadha town, Ampati, and the border town of Mahendraganj before continuing on the Agia-Medhipara-Phulbari-Tikrikilla road (AMPT). Before reaching Dalu town, they had to travel a considerable distance and consumed a lot of time via the Gopinathkilla-Purakhasia border road from Mahendraganj.

In addition to the load infringement, it is a setback for the state in terms of generating income. Transporters are getting away with carrying more weight in five-axle lorries, even though the standard is for tax collection from three-axle trucks.

Some truck drivers attempt to defend their overloading by pointing to the widespread extortion that occurs along the highway.

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