In Dumki Upazila, rigging of weight scales at Payra Setu
Overload trucks are getting discount in the contract.

Zakir Hossain Howladar.

In Dumki Upazila of Patuakhali District, there is open rigging and contractual collection of money on the weighing scale of Lebukhali Payra Bridge. The overloaded trucks are being released unmetered with money as per the contract. The government is losing a huge amount of revenue due to this, and the toll officials in charge are sharing the collected revenuemoney
According to local sources, late at night and early in the morning overloaded truck drivers are contacted by telephone to make “deals”. After that, the clearance is given with a certain amount of money without lifting the truck on the scale. Late on Monday night, a 22 ton capacity truck was loaded with 28 ton of goods but it was released for only 2000 taka. It has been alleged that the concerned toll workers collect money without any record.
ARegarding the complaints of local transport workers, those who are in charge of the scale, are regularly continuing such illegal collection. If someone protests or wants to take weight according to the rules, they are harassed by delaying on various pretexts. General transport traders are angry about this, but due to the involvement of influential circles, no one is opening their mouths.
A truck driver, who did not wish to be named, said that if there is an overload, you have to call in advance. They fix the moneyGives, does not take any weight when given – directly allows to go. An official of Payra bridge authority said on condition of anonymity that the matter is unethical and causes loss of government revenue. If evidence is found, strict action will be taken against those concerned.
Locals say that influential people may be involved in this cycle of weight scale rigging apart from some toll workers. They demanded quick investigation and punishment of those responsible.
Government revenueConscious circles have opined that the monitoring of the concerned administration has become necessary to prevent evasion and damage to road infrastructure.