Sonmarg ‘Weigh Bridge’ is a source of loss to govt exchequer
Sonamarg, June 8, KNT: Scores of drivers plying on the Srinagar-Leh highway have alleged that they are being unnecessarily harassed and fined at the Sonamarg Weigh Bridge even when their vehicles are not overloaded.
They alleged that this weighbridge has become a source of corruption. “Government exchequer incurs huge losses in the absence of any regulation at this bridge,” drivers said.
“According to the norms, the heavy motor vehicles like tippers, trolleys, and trucks before proceeding from Sonamarg to Kargil, Leh, and Zanskar are weighed at MV’s Weigh Bridge and are only allowed to ferry a required load. The driver is given a slip in the form of a pass with the help of which it moves ahead. If the weight of the loaded material exceeds, a fine is accordingly charged from the driver.
However, it is being alleged that not only vehicles are being allowed to leave for Kargil, Leh and Zanskar during night hours without weighing their load but during day time a fine of Rs.22,000 is charged from the driver if the load exceeds even a kilogram.
They said the menace of corruption has cropped up in this process as the agents at the Weigh Bridge are fraudulently making money by either allowing the extra load to the vehicles or allowing them to proceed without weighing the vehicles during night hours, even if there is one-way traffic.
The truck drivers said they are disturbed by this practice. They alleged that Sonmarg Weigh Bridge has become a source of corruption and nuisance for them. The sought intervention of Commissioner Transport Kashmir.
“We have been suffering losses due to the weightage system,” the truck drivers said.
They said that CCTV cameras installed on this Weigh Bridge are of no use as they are not being monitored by the authorities.
Last time an employee on the Bridge was transferred after complaints against him cropped up, but ironically, he was posted again there within a span of a month.
There were several instances in the past when top officials seized vehicles allowed by agents to move towards Kargil without weighing the load.
When contacted, a top official said that the matter will be investigated, and if allegations are proven, strict action will follow. [KNT]
