Plea for permanent withdrawal of axle load system

FT ONLINE

The Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) on Saturday demanded permanent withdrawal of axle load system on goods-laden vehicle on Chattogram- Dhaka highway.

President of the trade body Mahbubul Alam in a letter to road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader said the transport cost of perishable and consumers goods has increased between Tk three and Tk four  following the ceiling of carrying 13 tonnes of goods by two axle (six wheels) motor vehicle on the highway  after Ramadan.

He said that the businessmen of Chattogram region have been facing uneven competition and incurring financial losses as there was no weight control system to other highways of the country.  

He called upon the government to reduce the extra transport cost as a huge quantity of onion, garlic, ginger, coriander and other essential spices would be transported to different parts of the country on the occasion of upcoming Eid-ul-Adha. 

Mr Alam requested the minister to take initiatives for permanent cancellation of load system on two axle goods-laden motor vehicle (carrying 13 tonnes) on Chattogram- Dhaka highway.

Around 82 per cent of country’s export and import activities are done through Chattogram sea port, according to a press release.