The free run that heavy and overloaded vehicles used to enjoy on Mahatma Gandhi Setu till now is over.

The check post opened on Sunday near Hajipur toll plaza would help the police and the transport department officials fine those flouting the ban on movement of overloaded vehicles.

Eight assistant sub-inspectors of police, 48 constables and 52 personnel of a private security agency have been deployed at the check post for round-the-clock surveillance on such vehicles.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would also be installed at the check post to help the security personnel identity the vehicles defying the ban.

The Telegraph had published a report (see graphic) highlighting how vehicles weighing over 16 tonnes and 16-wheeler trucks were being allowed to cross the bridge in lieu of money.

On Monday, Patna district transport officer Dinesh Kumar Rai said: “A team of six transport department officials has been deployed on the bridge to prevent heavy vehicles from plying on the Patna side of the bridge. The officials have been asked to carry out 24x7 patrolling to prevent further damage to the superstructure of the bridge.”

Rai added that senior officials of the department would also conduct surprise inspections.

“We are also trying to ensure that the transpor- ters (drivers) are not haras- sed on any pretext,” he said, adding that strict act- ion would be taken against the officials if found indul- ging in illegal activities.

According to a letter iss- ued by the transport depar- tment, a vehicle found to be carrying more weight than the permissible limit of 16 tonnes would have to pay Rs 1,000 per tonne as penalty under Section 194 of the Motor Vehicles Act and an additional amount of Rs 2,000.

Vaishali transport department officer Ashutosh Kumar Verma said the new check post would work as a deterrent for the 16-wheelers.

“Trucks carrying heavy loads were causing loss to the state exchequer by way of tax evasion and damaging the superstructure of the bridge,” he told The Telegraph.

A letter sent to the Patna senior superintendent of police by then Patna dist- rict magistrate on July 3, 2009 also restricted the speed limit of vehicles on the bridge at 20km per hour.

“The policemen deployed on the bridge have been asked to follow the instructions strictly,” said Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj.

Sources said at least 12 vehicles were fined for carrying excess load in the past week.

Estimates state that around 50,000 vehicles cross the bridge everyday.

“Instructions have also been issued to check private buses, which are often found carrying passengers more than the number of seats,” said an official of the transport department.