July 19: In Samdrup Jongkhar, more than 50 truckers have been fined for overloading.

The Regional Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) Office in Samdrup Jongkhar imposed a fine of Nu. 1,000 each for overloading.

The officiating regional transport officer Tenzin told BSS that the truckers were carrying over 14 tons of gypsum. They are allowed to carry only about eight tons.

Traffic rules allow truckers to carry eight tons of load in the hilly areas and 10 tons in the plain areas. He said accidents as a result of overloading have also been reported along the highway.

Meanwhile, truckers told BBS that they cannot make any profit carrying loads of only eight tons. According to the truckers, they have no problem carrying between 14-15 tons of load.

Our reporter Tenzin Dorji says RSTA officials have also imposed penalties on around 20 taxi drivers for carrying extra passengers.