Truck Overloading Rules: Addressing the Challenges of Truck Overloading in India

In India, truck overloading presents serious problems that affect road safety, the durability of infrastructure, and the effectiveness of the logistics industry. The Indian government has put in place particular rules and sanctions to discourage overloading in order to mitigate these worries.

Legal Framework

State governments have the authority to impose weight restrictions on transport vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, specifically Section 113. It forbids driving automobiles that weigh more than the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) listed on their registration documents. Legal presumptions against car owners may result from violations, particularly if overloading takes place without the owners' knowledge or consent.

Supreme Court Directive

On July 20, 2018, the Supreme Court of India issued an important decision that established severe penalties for overloading. Vehicles that exceed their allowed load by more than 10% are subject to a penalty of ₹20,000 for the first tonne and ₹2,000 for each additional tonne. In order to improve road safety and infrastructure upkeep, the Court also ordered state governments to set up weighbridges to track the weights of commercial vehicles.

Penalties and Enforcement

Regional variations exist in enforcement, with some border checkpoints fining overloaded trucks hefty sums. For example, fines might amount to ₹25,000 at the Karnataka-Maharashtra border in Nipani. Similar sanctions are applied at the borders between West Bengal and Assam in Srirampur and Kolkata and West Bengal in Jhargram.

Axle Load Specifications

Transporters must follow axle load limitations, which are based on variables such axle type, vehicle size, and road capacity, in order to avoid overloading. Typical upper weight restrictions consist of:

• Single Axle with Single Tyre: 3 tonnes
• Single Axle with Two Tyres: 7.5 tonnes
• Single Axle with Four Tyres: 11.5 tonnes
• Tandem Axle for Rigid Vehicles, Trailers, and Semi-Trailers: 21 tonnes
• Tandem Axle for Puller Tractors with Hydraulic and Pneumatic Trailers: 28.5 tonnes
• Tri-Axle for Rigid Vehicles, Trailers, and Semi-Trailers: 27 tonnes
• Axle Row (Two Axles with Four Tyres Each) in Modular Hydraulic Trailers: 18 tonnes

Implications of Overloading

Vehicle stability is negatively impacted by overloading, which also raises the risk of collisions, speeds up road deterioration, and increases fuel and maintenance expenses. According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), overloading can make a vehicle unstable, which can result in breakdowns or accidents.

Preventive Measures

To combat overloading, the government has implemented measures such as:

• High Penalties: The Road Transport and Safety Bill proposes suspending permits for one month upon the first offense and canceling permits for repeated violations. 
• Awareness Campaigns: Educating truck owners and drivers about the dangers and legal consequences of overloading.
• Technological Solutions: Utilizing electronic weighing systems and GPS tracking to monitor vehicle loads effectively.
• Infrastructure Development: Investing in weighbridge facilities and better road infrastructure to manage and prevent overloading.

Adhering to these regulations is essential for ensuring road safety, preserving infrastructure, and promoting efficient logistics operations across India.