The Madras High Court today expressed dissatisfaction over the compliance report filed by the State Transport Department and directed it to file a detailed report about modernisation of check posts to check the menace of overloading.
The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T.S.Sivagnanam, directed Assistant Solicitor General Su.Srinivasan, appearing on behalf of the Union Government, who sought extension of time, to file a compliance report, to file it within four weeks.
In case the report is not filed within four weeks, the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport, "shall remain present personally with all the records before the Court."
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In his PIL, social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy had sought a direction to the state and central transport department to implement a circular issued by the Road Transport Ministry on January 10, 2012.
The bench had on March 5 directed the Centre to file an affidavit with relevant documents setting out steps taken and reviews carried out in pursuance to the circular addressed to the National Highways Authority of India, for checking of overloading of motor vehicles by installing weight machines in the national highways and toll plazas.
It had also directed the state government to file an affidavit setting out the steps taken for installing weight machines and within how much time the task would be completed, with the time schedule given for each such installation.
When the matter came up today, State Transport Department Commissioner submitted in the compliance report that Collectors were informed on issuing suitable instructions to Transporters that only permissible weight would be allowed. The report submitted details of collection of compounding fee collected at the check-posts.
It said Rs.109.44 crore was allocated for formation of Integrated Modernized check posts at Pethikuppam in Thiruvallur District on National Highways No. 5 and PWD had also commenced its work.
Not satisfied with the report, the bench said only a reference about the check posts has been made. "But no future plans for the other modern check posts or how the endeavour has been made to control excess loading. Therefore, we direct the state to file affidavit within four weeks."
The bench then posted the matter for further hearing to June 8.
