Truck Overloading in Nepal: Why Stricter Enforcement is Needed
27th July 2025, Kathmandu
Overloading of freight vehicles is a significant issue in Nepal. The Nepal Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Federation has urged the Traffic Police and Nepal Police to take effective action against this problem.
Truck Overloading in Nepal
Overloading in Nepalese Freight Vehicles: A Growing Concern
The Nepal Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Federation has expressed serious concerns regarding the increasing trend of overloading in freight vehicles across Nepal. Federation President Hiralal Shrestha led a delegation to meet with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deepak Thapa, submitting a memorandum that highlighted the various issues stemming from this problem.
The Problem: Ineffective Enforcement and Minimal Fines
According to Federation General Secretary Rajendra Bikram Baniya, the primary reason for the persistent overloading is the ineffective implementation of existing laws and directives, including the “Motor Vehicle and Transport Management Act” and the “Freight Vehicle Load Control Directive, 2074 BS.”
“Domestic and foreign trucks frequently carry loads exceeding the permissible limit without load permits and continue operating by merely paying minor fines. This undermines the rule of law,” Baniya stated.
The current system of minimal fines, despite traffic checks, has failed to deter transporters from overloading their vehicles. This not only leads to significant wear and tear on roads and infrastructure but also poses a serious safety risk to all road users.
The Federation’s Demands: Stricter Enforcement and New Technology
To combat this issue, the Federation has called for stricter enforcement measures. Their demands include:
Referring overloaded trucks to transport offices: This would ensure that vehicles exceeding permissible limits face more significant consequences beyond just a minor fine.
Compelling offloading of excess goods: In line with existing directives, trucks should be made to offload any excess weight before being allowed to continue their journey.
Cooperation for “Load Regulation Software”: The Federation emphasized the need for active cooperation from the traffic police to effectively implement the recently launched “Load Regulation Software,” which is designed to help regulate and monitor vehicle loads.
IGP’s Assurance and Future Actions
IGP Deepak Thapa acknowledged the severity of the overloading problem and assured the Federation that necessary actions would be taken. “Our goal is to ensure a safe, organized, and law-abiding transportation system. The Federation’s concerns are valid, and appropriate directives will be issued to the traffic police,” he affirmed.
The Federation further requested the IGP to issue directives to all provincial police chiefs and traffic police units across the seven provinces of Nepal, ensuring a nationwide crackdown on overloading.
Why is Overloading a Serious Issue?
Overloading in freight vehicles has several detrimental consequences:
Road Damage: Excess weight significantly contributes to the premature deterioration of roads and bridges, leading to higher maintenance costs for the government.
Safety Hazards: Overloaded vehicles are more difficult to control, increasing the risk of accidents, brake failures, and tire blowouts.
Environmental Impact: Heavier loads can lead to increased fuel consumption and higher emissions.
Unfair Competition: Operators who adhere to load limits face unfair competition from those who overload their vehicles to maximize profits.
Moving Towards a Safer Transportation System
The initiative taken by the Nepal Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Federation, coupled with the commitment from the Inspector General of Police, offers hope for a more effective approach to controlling overloading in Nepalese freight vehicles. Stricter enforcement, combined with the utilization of new technologies like the “Load Regulation Software,” will be crucial in ensuring a safer, more organized, and rule-abiding transportation system across Nepal.
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