Vehicles carrying iron rods have a free run on Ghaziabad roads

GHAZIABAD: Police have decided to conduct a campaign against vehicles transporting rods, pipes and girders jutting out of them, taking cognisance of the NH-24 accident that killed two persons on Friday morning.
“We are trying our best to improve the traffic situation in the city. We are going to launch a campaign very soon against vehicles that do not follow traffic rules and from which iron rods and other materials protrude out,” Ghaziabad SSP Vaibhav Krishna said.

Despite a ban imposed by Centre on trucks and tractors ferrying rods, pipes or girders protruding out, a large number of such transport vehicles can be seen violating rules on the city’s roads, especially on NH-24, GT Road and Meerut road.

The regional transport office and traffic police have not been able to rein in the menace, even after several accidents in which two-wheelers or cars have rammed vehicles transporting rods protruding out.

SP (traffic) SN Singh said: “Vehicles carrying rods or girders protruding out is punishable under Section 190 (3) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It attracts a fine in the range of Rs 2000-Rs 5000. We keep challaning such vehicles whenever we come across them.”

Additional regional transport officer (enforcement) RK Singh: “The number of such vehicles has gone down over years, but still, they can be seen on the roads. Besides conducting regular campaigns, we also try and spread awareness about the menace among truck drivers.

Vipin Singhal, general secretary, Ghaziabad Mahanagar Goods Transport Welfare Association, blamed truck owners, private transporters and district administration for the problem.

“Our members have been strictly advised not to overload their vehicles. But, there’s lack of enforcement on part of authorities. They let go of such vehicles after taking money from them. If RTO and traffic police strictly implement the rules, no one will dare to flout them.”