The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has cracked down heavily on plying of overloaded vehicles on the highways. It has decided to force them off the road till the extra load is removed at the cost and risk of transporters.<br/><br/>So far, NHAI toll contractors, citing practical difficulties, have not been off-loading trucks and were only charging 10 times penalty for overloading.<br/><br/>The latest measure is aimed at curbing accidents apart from the bringing down of vehicular pollution arising out of overloaded goods carriages.<br/><br/>An official statement said, as per instructions issued by NHAI, from now on, the overloaded vehicles will not be allowed to cross the toll plaza.<br/>NHAI has directed all its toll plaza contractors and concessionaires to ensure strict compliance of the instructions.<br/><br/>In India, every year, the road accidents claim one and a half lakh lives and another 3 lakh are crippled for life.