The axle load scale meant for checking plying of overloaded vehicles at Koilabari on Chapainawabganj-Sonamasjid land port road in Shibganj upazila under the district has been lying inoperative for over two years.

Taking the opportunity, truckers are carrying more than stipulated 25 tonnes of goods, mostly imported items including stone, said traders at the land port.

The weighing station was set up at Koilabari near Sonamasjid land port at a cost of Tk 65 lakh to check plying of overloaded vehicles on the 34 kilometre road stretching Chapainawabganj, Shibganj, Kansat, Sonamasjid and Baliadighi cheque post, said officials at the district office of the RHD.

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the station at Koilabari on August 28 in 2014.

The government has taken initiative to install axle load scales on different roads to check plying of overloaded vehicles that causes damage to roads, the minister  said after the inauguration.

But the weighing machine of the station at Koilabari stopped functioning after about one month due to some problems of computer software, said Sunity Chakma, executive engineer of Chapainawabganj RHD.

"As per rule, trucks can carry 25 tonnes of goods on Chapainawabganj-Sonamsjid land port highway, but it is often violated in absence of checking mechanism. We have informed the higher authorities about the situation," he said.