The ordinance came into effect in 2,000, but due to strong lobbying from transporters its implementation was delayed on one pretext or another. The incumbent government has decided to strictly implement the axel load regime and NHA-the implementation agency-can only enforce the regime on 12,000km of roads that are within its ambit. If a truck on M-9 or other major highway under the jurisdiction of the NHA is in violation of the axle load policy, the National Highway & Motorway Policy (NH&MP) stops and fines the vehicle; but if the driver takes an alternative route, i.e, a road that is not under NHA jurisdiction then there is no applicable law to stop it.
Sources further said that NHA has around 40 weigh stations across its network with some are dysfunctional at present and inadequate staffing is making it difficult for NH&MP to monitor all traffic.
On September 4, 2019, cement, steel and sugar industry representatives moved Sindh High Court (SHC) against the implementation of the axle load regime. They pleaded the court to either exempt them from the axle weight limit decision for nine months, or grant a stay order.
An official of the National Highway Authority (NHA) informed the court on 4 September that the Ministry of Communications is scheduled to hold a meeting with the industry representatives that very day and would inform the court of the outcome.
On September 5, 2019, the ministry official informed the court that discussions were held throughout the previous day, but no consensus was reached and negotiations are ongoing. The SHC directed NHA to complete negotiations and submit a report to the court by October 2, 2019.
The court did not accept the plea by cement, steel and sugar industry to issue a stay order. The official further revealed to Business Recorder that the NHA jurisdiction is expanding and the recent addition is Sukkur-Multan Motorway, but NH&MP is short of personnel, vehicles and allied facilities, i.e, residences, POL, etc.
NHA is in the process of resubmitting PC-I for "Sustainable National Highway Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (SNHRIP)" amounting to Rs 42.492 billion after enforcement of Axle Load Control Regime. Official sources revealed that the NHA Executive Board recently met where a detailed presentation on SNHRIP was given.
The Board also directed that political support must be ensured for successful implementation of the SNHRIP project and sufficient funds be made available for the project for field staff of NH&MP and allied facilities, i.e, residences, vehicles, POL, etc.
NHA officials told Business Recorder that implementation of axle load limit will not only reduce accidents on National Highways & Motorways network but will also help protect the precious national asset of National Highways & Motorways, as heavy amounts are spent on construction and maintenance of National Highways & Motorways throughout the country. In order to lengthen the life span of this asset, a comprehensive course of action is being adopted with cooperation of all the stakeholders.
Spokesman for All Pakistan Truck Trailer Owners, Goods and Brokers Welfare Association Agha Jawad Raza told Business Recorder that several meetings were held with Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed to evolve a mechanism for enforcement of the law pertaining to axel load of trucks and big vehicles. He said the government has yet to announce a policy with respect to axle load limits.
The Spokesman said that there is National Highway Safety Ordinance 2000 of National Highway Authority (NHA) for axle load limit but it needs to be amended. He said that the government had assured the Trucks Association that the law would be changed but it has yet to take any decision.
He further stated that after the strike of Truck Association in May, 2014 which continued for 14 days, the then government proposed an axel load limit in July 2015 which continues to this day. The Association has held detailed meetings with the minister and secretary for Communications this year with the minister constituting a committee for formulating a mechanism/policy but the committee has yet to announce a policy.
President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce Ahmed Hassan Moughal told Business Recorder that 25 percent cost of transportation increase as well as a rise in fuel consumption is due to decreasing axel load limit. He said that ultimately this cost would be passed onto consumers as the manufacturers would have to increase the number of trucks.
"The NHA claims that about Rs 65 billion is spent on the maintenance of roads every year," he said adding that all stakeholders should sit together and find out a way which is acceptable for all.