Abrupt ALR implementation: solutions sought

Leading business leaders have presented a couple of proposals to find solutions to the problems arising in the wake of a sudden implementation of the Axle Load Regime (ALR) of the National Highway Safety Ordinance (NHSO) 2000. The ALR, re-implemented on Nov 12, 2023, is hitting local trade, exports and imports. They said the authority concerned imposed the ALR and adopted a pitch that highways are being broken. The previously implemented ALR in 2019 also caused disruptions in the supply chain of all commodities and products including rice, wheat, wheat flour, grains, feed, fertiliser, edible oil, cement, coal, steel, cotton and others. They said billions of rupees have been spent on highways and motorways which cannot afford heavy transport. Implementing the ALR at once will trigger another wave of inflation.