Nagar Reporter: Another weighing scale has been set up in Chittagong, despite strong objections from traders. Traders have already expressed their anger about this weight scale installed next to the Shah Amanat bridge on the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway. However, the road and highways department has said that this weight scale has been established mainly to protect the country’s highways. This is part of the government’s initiative to set up 28 new weight scales at 21 points across the country. The weight of two-way vehicles on the Chittagong Cox’s Bazar highway will be measured on this moving weight scale.
Sources said that the weight of vehicles is being controlled for a long time to protect the stability of the country’s highways. However, the businessmen complain that the initiative to control the weight of vehicles has been taken by spending crores of rupees but it is not effective. Instead, a few people’s money making machines are set up through this. There is a mountain of complaints from traders regarding the weight scale installed at Baradarogar Hut in Sitakunda on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Many times they have also expressed anger that this scale is more about extorting money from businessmen than weight control. Traders said that even though truck covered vans or container movers move across the country with as many goods as they want, weight scales have been installed to control goods vehicles from Chittagong port. Besides harassing the businessmen, it is creating major obstacles. They have been demanding to remove this weight scale for a long time.
Before there was any solution to the strong objections of Chittagong traders about the weight scale on the Dhaka Chittagong highway, this weight scale was introduced on the Chittagong Cox’s Bazar highway. The weighing scale has been in full swing for the past few days after a trial run for quite some time.
The weight is being recorded as the vehicle moves over the moving weight scale installed next to the Shah Amanat Bridge. Fines are being collected from overweight vehicles. Traffic congestion has already started around the scale’s normal operations. With the increase in the number of goods vehicles, there is also a fear of traffic congestion in the Karnaphuli Shah Amanat Setu area.
However, Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Pintu Chakma told the media that there is no risk of traffic jams. Traffic will be normal. He also mentioned that the initiative taken by the government to protect the highways will definitely bring benefits.
Zulfikar Ahmed, Executive Engineer of the Chittagong Region of Roads and Highways Department, said that it is not true that the weight scale is only on Chittagong highways. There is also a weighing scale before the Bangabandhu Bridge. He also said that 28 weight scales are being installed at 21 more points in the country.
Sources said the weighing scale is being installed to enforce the Motor Vehicle Angle Load Control Act. According to the new law, the maximum weight limit for six-wheeled vehicles is 22 tons; the maximum weight limit for 10-wheelers is 30; the maximum weight limit for 14-wheelers is 40 tons; 18-wheelers are 47 tons; 22-wheelers are 49 tons; and 26-wheelers are 52 tons. Vehicles with excess weight will be considered overloaded. In cases of excess weight, a penalty of 5 thousand taka for the first ton or fraction and 10 thousand taka for each ton and fraction has been kept.
Allegedly, trade worth crores of rupees is done on the matter of the collection of fines. It is said that traders, including transport owners, are harassed by showing normal weight in exchange for money for overloaded vehicles.
Karnaphuli Shah Amanat Setu Toll Plaza Operational Director Apoorba Saha told the media that there is no precedent of anyone being harassed on the weight scale. Fines are levied on overweight vehicles. But no heavy vehicles ply on this route. Cars of normal weight move over the moving scale. They don’t even have to stop. They do not have to pay any fee. Apurba Saha said that the government has taken this initiative to protect the highway.
