A notified weighbridge in the village of Wageasi, North Garo Hills, was overlooked by transport authorities to allow for the setting up of another one at a different place.
According to information gathered, the State government had, through a notification in August 2019, sought bids for the setting up and running of a weighbridge at Wageasi. The place is strategically important as many trucks were using the village road through Gairong to bypass paying royalties and fines to the Transport Department and Directorate of Mineral Resources. A weighbridge at Wageasi could have checked the illegal movement of trucks.
According to sources, there were four bids submitted and, as is the norm, the highest bidder won the tender. However, the winning bid was for a weighbridge at Chima Apal, about 10 kilometres from Wageasi.
On February 21, 2021, permission to operate the bridge in Wageasi was given to the highest bidder through an official notification by the Commissioner of Transport despite the fact that everyone, including the Commissioner, was aware of the absence of a weighbridge there.
Recently, following complaints from various quarters, the Commissioner is said to have gone personally to Wageasi where an operational weighbridge has already been set up by the second-highest bidder during the earlier bidding process. As to why the highest bidder at Chima Apal, which is not even a notified area, was still given the contract, remains unanswered.
Currently the Transport Department on National Highway 62 operates out of the Depa Garat weighbridge, near Dainadubi.
When contacted on the matter Transport Commissioner, IW Ingty said that the administration is waiting for a written complaint to be submitted to them before any action can be initiated.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that a case against the forceful set up of the weighbridge is being taken up soon in the High Court of Meghalaya.
