The goods carriers were booked for overloading; the dept has collected a whopping Rs 9.95 crore in fines during its drives across different highways, checkposts
Highway
To curb the menace caused by overloaded vehicles on highways, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has been conducting regular drives against them on highways and checkposts.
The RTO has been conducting special drives against heavy vehicles that enter the city from different highways i.e. Mumbai, Solapur, Baramati, Ahmednagar and Nashik Representation Pic
Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) booked a total of 7,140 heavy goods vehicles, in the last six months for overloading. With a view to curb the menace caused by overloaded vehicles on highways, the Pune RTO has decided to initiate regular drives against traffic violators.
In the last five months, from April 1 to September 30, the Pune RTO has fined 7,140 heavy vehicles and earned a whopping Rs 9.95 crore in collecting fines.
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RTO officers claim that overloading, in case of such vehicles, causes the tyres to burst, which is one of the primary reasons for accidents on the highways. The heavy loads also cause mid-way breakdowns, which lead to traffic jams.
RTO officer Jitendra Patil said, “The road damage is directly proportional to the axle load of the vehicle. Pavement distress is certain if the vehicles carry more load than the prescribed limits. This leads to destruction of the overlays and formation of potholes. It becomes impossible for the driver of an overburdened vehicle to maintain control of the steering wheel, which is dangerous.”
Patil added, “Overloading leads to overheating of tyres and brakes and increased stress on the suspension system. Overloaded freight vehicles add to pollution, hamper economic development and increase costs. Therefore we have started a special drive against heavy vehicles that enter the city from different highways i.e. Mumbai, Solapur, Baramati, Ahmednagar and Nashik.”
Fines imposed
According to the rules, the fine is Rs 2,500 (Rs 1,250 for the driver and Rs 1,250 for the owner) for the first one-and-half ton and Rs 2,000 for every subsequent ton. The driver’s license is suspended for six months and permit of the vehicle is suspended depending on the renewal of the permit.
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