The Union government has proposed to impose hefty penalty on overloaded vehicles on toll roads. More and more roads are coming under toll collection. However, the government’s proposal to impose the penalty on overloaded trucks is likely to benefit highway developers.
Experts say that the government plans to impose a penalty ten times the pre-determined toll on trucks that move with overloaded cargo, and expects developers to invest in weigh bridges to detect overloading.
The Union Cabinet has approved the fine proposal, but the Union Road Ministry is yet to notify the rules, as it is awaiting the Law Ministry’s nod. Once notified, the rules will be applicable to all highway projects in the country.