Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 27: The Adhyaksh of the North & Middle Andaman Zilla Parishad, Mr. R. Alager Swamy, along with the Vice-Chairman and other elected members, has raised serious concerns over the sudden increase in the prices of certain essential commodities across the district. The members alleged that traders have cited recent overloading inspections, weighbridge checks, and challan proceedings by the Transport Department as the reason for increasing prices. However, they pointed out that only a limited number of vehicles were found violating overloading norms and penalized, making it difficult to justify a widespread increase in commodity prices.
Addressing the media, Mr. Alager Swamy said the issue was brought to the attention of the Zilla Parishad after several truck owners and drivers expressed concerns regarding the functioning of a weighbridge installed at Mile Tilak area of South Andaman. A joint team comprising the Adhyaksh, Upadhyaksha and Zilla Parishad members from Rangat and Diglipur visited the site to assess the situation.
He stated that the team observed displayed weighing charges and received complaints that vehicle operators were under the impression that all vehicles were being mandatorily directed to use the weighbridge. The matter was subsequently raised before the Chief Secretary, who directed Transport Secretary to examine the issue.
During discussions with Transport Department officials, the Zilla Parishad members were informed that the weighbridge is not mandatory for all vehicles and that only those suspected of carrying excess load are directed for weighing. Officials further clarified that the weighing charges are borne by the department and not by vehicle owners in such cases.
According to data shared by the Transport Department, 29 vehicles were checked during a week-long enforcement drive. Of these, only 12 vehicles were taken to the weighbridge for verification, and five were found overloaded. Three vehicles were penalized and fines amounting to ₹75,000 were collected, while proceedings against two others remain pending.
Mr. Alager Swamy said the department’s objective is not revenue collection but ensuring road safety, preventing damage to vehicle ferry ramps and public infrastructure, and reducing risks associated with overloaded vehicles. He noted that overloaded trucks can endanger other road users and cause excessive wear and tear to transport infrastructure.
The Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh emphasized that the enforcement drive was intended as a warning against overloading and was not being carried out indiscriminately against all transport vehicles. He urged truck owners and drivers to adhere to the permissible load limits specified in their vehicle registration documents.
Stating that only a small fraction of vehicles were found violating norms, Mr. Alager Swamy questioned the justification for the sharp increase in certain commodity prices from Baratang to Diglipur. He maintained that weighbridge inspections and overloading penalties cannot be considered the sole reason for increasing prices of goods and called for a thorough examination of the factors behind the recent price rise.
The Zilla Parishad members have raised the matter before the Chief Secretary, seeking necessary intervention and an inquiry in the larger public interest. They also appealed to traders, transport operators and the public not to panic, reiterating that enforcement action is being taken only against suspected cases of overloading and not against all cargo vehicles operating in the district.
