Patna: The Patna High Court has taken a firm stand against the damage caused to Bihar’s roads and bridges by overloaded vehicles, backing the rollout of an AI-based “weigh-in-motion” system that can detect excess loads and issue e-challans automatically.
The new system, being introduced under court supervision, measures the weight of vehicles while they are moving, eliminating the need to stop trucks for inspection.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahu and Justice Harish Kumar reviewed progress on the technology while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Vikas Kumar.
During the hearing, Advocate General P.K. Shahi informed the court that two major bridges on the Ara-Mohania NH-30 corridor had been damaged because of overloading and repair work was underway.
The National Highways Authority of India also acknowledged that excessive loads were having a serious impact on the structural condition of roads and bridges.
Following court directions, meetings of all concerned departments were held on April 8 and 9 at the Advocate General’s office, where officials agreed on steps to control overloading.
As part of the initiative, the weigh-in-motion system has been installed on a pilot basis at three locations in Bihar in coordination with the Union Road Transport Ministry.
The technology uses sensors, CCTV cameras and automatic number plate recognition to record a vehicle’s weight, permitted capacity and any overload violations while it is in motion.
If excess load is detected, an e-challan is generated automatically without stopping the vehicle. Violation details are sent directly to the Mining and Transport Departments for further action.
Officials told the court that failure to pay penalties may also lead to restrictions on vehicle operations and delays in licence renewal.
The bench indicated that if the pilot project proves successful, the system could be expanded across Bihar. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for May 12.
