Although there is a provision to carry a maximum of 24 tons of cargo, there are complaints that freight vehicles from various construction projects and industries are not complying with this provision.
The Dhankuta administration has initiated strict measures after complaints of cargo vehicle operators not following the loading guidelines on the Bhedetar-Chitre section of the Koshi Highway.
Following complaints that the drivers of vehicles transporting goods such as truck tippers, mini tippers, trailers, semi-trailers, and tractors and their assistants were damaging the road structure while transporting 'loads' against the standards, a meeting chaired by Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Khadka decided to strictly enforce the Load Regulation Directive 2074 BS.
The Load Regulation Directive 2074 BS prepared by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has made a provision that a maximum of 24 tons of load can be carried depending on the type and capacity of the vehicle. However, there are complaints that freight vehicles of various construction projects and industries are not following this provision.
Transport vehicles going to and from Dhankuta, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha, and Khotang use the Bhedetar, Mulghat, Dhankuta Bazaar, Hile Legua, and Jorpati and Sindhuwa sections of the Koshi Highway. However, there is no provision for weight inspection and monitoring of freight vehicles on these routes. In addition, the weighbridge is also not operational.
Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Khadka said that for the time being, the work of inspecting and monitoring the weight of vehicles will be carried out in coordination with Sunsari District. Similarly, it has been decided that parking on the roadside except for essential purposes will not be allowed, and that proper management of damaged transport and transportation vehicles on the road will not be allowed.
Similarly, as the 4-decade-old Pakkapi Bridge over the Tamor River at Mulghat is becoming dilapidated, the administration has urged the Road Division Office to proceed with the maintenance process for the 'health assessment' of the bridge.
