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The Patna High Court has asked the National Highways Authority of India to identify effective measures to control vehicle overloading on national highways in Bihar. The court observed that overloaded trucks, especially those carrying sand, are damaging roads and bridges and posing safety risks. The direction came during a public interest case where concerns were raised about unchecked movement of such vehicles. The court suggested using technology-based solutions and has asked NHAI to submit its response by mid-February, when the matter will be reviewed again.
The Patna High Court has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to work out concrete solutions to curb the movement of overloaded vehicles on national highways passing through Bihar. The issue came up during the hearing of a public interest petition that highlighted how excessive loading, particularly by sand-carrying trucks, is causing visible damage to highways and bridges across the state. Advertisement
The court noted that the continued movement of overloaded vehicles is reducing the life of roads and posing serious safety concerns for commuters. It also took note of submissions suggesting that such vehicles continue to operate due to weak enforcement and the presence of an organised system that allows them to bypass checks. The bench made it clear that simply relying on penalties after violations was not sufficient and that preventive steps were needed.
During the proceedings, the court examined concerns related to the Ara Mohania stretch of National Highway-30, an important corridor that connects several districts and handles heavy commercial traffic. The judges indicated that this stretch, like many others, requires closer monitoring due to frequent overloading.
The High Court suggested that NHAI should explore the use of technology-driven systems, including sensor-based weighing platforms and automated gates, to detect and stop overloaded vehicles before they enter highways. Such systems are already in use on select expressways and have shown better compliance compared to manual checks.
The court has asked NHAI to file a detailed response by mid-February, outlining the steps it proposes to take to address the issue. Overloading has remained a long-standing concern on Indian highways, with past audits and transport ministry reviews repeatedly pointing to its role in road damage, higher maintenance costs, and increased accident risk. The next hearing will assess whether the authority's proposed measures are adequate and time-bound.
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