Ganderbal, Sep 14, KNT: Allegations of selective checking and bypassing of the Transport Department’s weighbridge at Sonamarg have raised questions over the enforcement of load restrictions on commercial vehicles travelling towards Ladakh and the potential loss of government revenue.

The weighbridge is intended to check commercial vehicles carrying goods towards the Srinagar-Leh highway and determine whether their loads comply with the prescribed limits before they are allowed to proceed.

Sources familiar with the functioning of the facility alleged that some overloaded commercial vehicles are being allowed to pass without undergoing weighing, while vehicles within permissible limits are sent through the weighbridge and issued weighment slips.

Several truck drivers alleged that the practice has created a situation in which vehicles carrying excess loads can allegedly avoid penalties by bypassing the facility.

According to sources, vehicles exceeding the prescribed load limit can attract a penalty of Rs 22,000, with the amount deposited into the government treasury through an official receipt. Sources alleged that when an overloaded vehicle bypasses the weighbridge, the government loses the corresponding penalty as well as the opportunity to enforce the prescribed load limit.

“If vehicles are allowed to bypass the weighbridge, there is little purpose in maintaining the facility,” some drivers said, arguing that every commercial vehicle bound for Ladakh should be subjected to the same weighing procedure without discrimination.

The allegations assume significance in view of previous concerns regarding the Sonamarg weighbridge. In June 2023, the then Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, acknowledged concerns about loaded vehicles evading the weighing process because of manpower shortages and said measures, including online CCTV monitoring and deployment of additional staff, were being planned.

The issue also has a corruption-related history. On September 16, 2023, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Selection Grade Constable Muhammad Ayoub of the J&K Traffic Police in Sonamarg while allegedly accepting Rs 9,000 in a trap case. Contemporary reports said the ACB action followed a complaint concerning alleged bribery at the traffic post.

Earlier reports had also documented allegations that vehicles were being allowed to proceed towards Kargil without being weighed. In one such instance, five vehicles were seized after being allowed to travel despite traffic restrictions, with the Assistant Regional Transport Officer confirming the action at the time.

The Transport Department subsequently reviewed the functioning of the Sonamarg weighbridge in December 2025. During the visit, the Transport Secretary assessed its manpower and infrastructure and directed officials to ensure strict enforcement of axle-load norms, transparency in operations and round-the-clock functioning of the facility.

Drivers also alleged that some employees posted at the facility have remained there for unusually long periods and called for rotation or transfer of personnel to prevent the development of entrenched local arrangements. They further alleged that some staff members posted at the weighbridge do not wear official uniforms.

When contacted, the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, said he would look into the matter.  [KNT]

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