TENNYDARD M. MARAK Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Pursuant to the order dated March 31, 2023, a report has been filed by the State. The report indicates that awareness programmes have been conducted among officials and other stakeholders to ensure that overloaded vehicles don't take to the State or national highways in Meghalaya. There also appears to be a press release issued on April 17, 2023, indicating the types of vehicles, the axle combination of such vehicles and the revised permissible net weight for each category. The press release, issued under Sec. 194 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, also provides for excess load being offloaded immediately upon discovery at the owner's or transporter's cost. As observed earlier, the number of weighbridges and checking places should be increased. Indeed, electronic weigh-pads as indicated by the State should be introduced at several more places, including places where boulders are carried and roads leading to the land customs stations.

(2.) It is also hoped that the 23 weighbridges that the State promised to make functional would be in place before the matter appears next. In addition, weigh-pads, which, according to the State, would cost Rs.27.00 lakh each, should also be procured to be used at strategic points. The matter will appear six weeks hence for a further report from the State. List on June 16, 2023.