Dhaka, Nov. 17 -- There is scope for setting axle-load limits for roads and highways during the interim government's term, but no concrete steps have been taken yet, sources say.

If the limits are set, billions of taka spent on checking overload damage can be saved.

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD), responsible for constructing and maintaining the national and regional highways, compromised axle load standards several times during the past 15 years, bowing to pressure from freight vehicle owners, businessmen, and political leaders.

According to experts and engineers, a 10 per cent overload may lead to around 46 per cent damage.

The damage will be 107 per cent for a 20 per cent overload.

In a gazette notification on May 5, 2004...