Ban vehicles carrying protruding materials: Centre

Miffed at authorities for not enforcing the ban on trucks carrying protruding rods and other materials despite bringing the rule two years ago, the Centre has now asked states to take strict action against violators. The Union Home Ministry has now shot off identical letters to all states, reminding them of the ban imposed on March 5, 2014, following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court by Save Life Foundation, an NGO. The letter noted that India has reported the highest number of fatal road accidents in the world, which is a "matter of serious concern” and "many dangerous and fatal accidents” take place because of vehicles carrying loads of protruding rods and other protruding materials. "The Union government attaches the highest importance to this issue and urges the state governments and Union Territory administrations to strictly ensure that no vehicle is allowed to carry protruding loads and other dangerous, protruding materials and strict action should be taken against the violators under the appropriate laws,” it said. DHNS