The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a significant directive to the Punjab government, demanding a detailed account of its efforts to curb the menace of overloaded vehicles on state roads. The court has instructed the Chief Secretary of Punjab to personally file an affidavit outlining the concrete actions taken by the state administration to address this critical public safety issue.
Court's Stern Directive to State Machinery
During a recent hearing, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji expressed serious concerns over the enforcement of laws against overloading. The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that highlighted the rampant violation of weight limits by commercial vehicles, particularly in the mining and industrial sectors.
The court's order came after it noted that previous directives had not yielded satisfactory results. The judges pointedly asked what tangible steps the state government had taken since the last hearing. The bench specifically directed the Chief Secretary to clarify the actions taken against officers who were found negligent in performing their duties to check overloading. This move underscores the court's intent to ensure accountability at the highest levels of the bureaucracy.
Focus on Enforcement and Accountability
The High Court's intervention is not an isolated event but part of an ongoing judicial effort to compel the state machinery to enforce transport regulations stringently. Overloaded vehicles are a major contributor to road damage, increased accident rates, and pose a severe threat to other commuters. The PIL argued that lax enforcement was enabling this dangerous practice to continue unchecked, putting lives at risk and causing economic losses due to accelerated infrastructure decay.
The affidavit demanded by the court is expected to cover several key areas:
- The number of checkpoints established and their operational efficacy.
- Data on vehicles penalized for overloading in a specified period.
- Details of disciplinary action, if any, against errant officials.
- A concrete plan for using technology and increasing manpower to tackle the problem.
The court has set a clear deadline for the submission of this affidavit, signaling its impatience with procedural delays. The next hearing is scheduled for May 7, by which time the state's top bureaucrat must present the document before the bench.
Broader Implications for Road Safety and Governance
This judicial order has significant ramifications beyond immediate enforcement. It places the spotlight squarely on the executive's responsibility in upholding laws meant for public welfare. By holding the Chief Secretary directly responsible, the court is emphasizing that road safety is a governance priority that requires top-down oversight.
The directive also serves as a reminder to the transport, mining, and police departments about their statutory duties. Ineffective action could lead to contempt proceedings. Furthermore, the order is likely to empower citizens and activists to demand greater transparency and action from local authorities regarding road safety measures.
As the state prepares its response, all stakeholders, including transport unions and industry bodies, will be watching closely. The affidavit's contents on May 7 will reveal whether Punjab is serious about cracking down on the dangerous and illegal practice of overloading, or if further judicial intervention will be necessary to safeguard its roads and citizens.
