Coimbatore: The Coimbatore Motor Transport Council (CMTC) on Saturday alleged trucks were being fined for overloading and excessive height without verifying actual weight and urged the city deputy commissioner of police (traffic) to address the issue.
In a letter to the DCP, CMTC president N Murugesan said e-challans for overloading or excessive height of goods were often issued without proper verification, leading to unnecessary financial burden on truck owners.
He said fines were also being imposed on the vehicles parked correctly in designated parking areas. "Vehicle owners are compelled to pay these fines as there is no effective mechanism to contest them. Also, clearing the fines is the only way for the vehicle owners to renew permits, registration certificates and road taxes."
Currently, heavy and mini trucks are restricted from entering Coimbatore city between 8am and 11am and again from 4pm to 8pm. CMTC also requested to allow empty trucks to exit the city during these restricted hours.
CMTC also called for deployment of traffic police along the L&T bypass road from Avinashi Road to Palakkad Road to prevent accidents and reduce congestion. "To ease traffic flow, ‘no entry' restriction should be imposed on all vehicles from Oppanakara Street to Thomas Street."
It also sought immediate issuance of CSR and FIR for vehicles involved in accidents or goods theft.