FTTEN urges Nepal Police to curb vehicle overloading

KATHMANDU: Federation of Truck Transport Entrepreneurs, Nepal (FTTEN) has urged the Traffic Police and Nepal Police to issue effective directives to control vehicle overloading.

A delegation led by FTTEN President Hira Lal Shrestha met with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deepak Thapa and submitted a memo.

According to FTTEN General Secretary Rajendra Bikram Baniya, the trend of overloading is increasing due to the ineffective implementation of laws and regulations related to vehicles and transport and the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 1993 (2049 BS). “The practice of domestic and foreign trucks carrying more load than specified without a load sheet, and operating vehicles after paying a small fine, disrespects the law,” Baniya said.

The memo states that despite Traffic Police checks, the problem has not been resolved due to low fines. FTTEN has demanded that overloaded trucks be sent to the transport office or be strictly managed to unload goods and balance the load according to the directive.

FTTEN also stated that the cooperation of the Traffic Police is essential to make the recently launched ‘Load Regulation Software’ effective.

In the meeting, IGP Thapa acknowledged that the overloading problem is serious and committed to taking necessary steps in this regard.

“Our goal is to make the transport system safe, organised and lawful. FTTEN’s concern is legitimate, and necessary instructions will be given to the Traffic Police,” he said. FTTEN has particularly requested the IGP to issue directives to the police chiefs and the Traffic Police in all seven provinces.