Nagpur, 22 July (HS): The Nagpur Trailers Owners Association has

accused certain RTO officials of colluding with transport operators to run an

overloading racket, alleging that unauthorised payments allow trucks to carry

up to 50 tonnes of excess cargo while compliant vehicles face strict action.

Association president Shailendra Mishra made the allegations at a press

conference.

Mishra said

complaints filed with police, the district collector and other authorities have

led to only temporary crackdowns before the situation reverts. He claimed

operators paying Rs 10,000 or more per truck monthly are allowed to overload

with impunity, while member vehicles face immediate penalties even for

exceeding capacity by a single tonne.

The association said

it has run an awareness and lobbying campaign against overloading for three

months, submitting representations to transport operators, traders, elected

representatives and the administration, without effect. It noted similar

allegations of an overloading protection racket were raised earlier by another

transport operator.

The association has

demanded an independent, impartial, high-level inquiry into the alleged racket,

with strict legal action against any RTO officials, agents or operators found

responsible.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar