Address At The Inauguration Of National Summit Of All India Motor Transport Congress, Bangalore

Dynamics of Transport Sector

I am delighted to participate in the inauguration of National Summit of the All India Motor Transport Congress. I greet the President, Vice-Presidents, Office bearers and Members of the All India Motor Transport Congress. When I am with you I realize that you represent nearly 17 millions transport operating personnel. The share of the road freight is almost 65%. Motor transport system in Indian road is a dynamic system and a life line for the Indian economy. All the more the motor transport system is a great friend of Agriculture, Fisheries, Dairy products, the reason is if it is not moved in time, it is perishable. This industry also provides vast opportunities for employment both direct and indirect in the area of haulage, storage, handling, manufacture of vehicles and their maintenance. Keeping in mind the importance of this sector I would like to discuss on the topic "Dynamics of Transport Sector".

Productivity in Transportation

Presently I am told that the average productivity of a Truck driver is around 400 Km per day whereas in the developed countries the productivity is approximately 1200 Km in a day. Perhaps our driver puts in more hours per day than his counter part in the developed countries. The major causes for reduced productivity arise from vehicle characteristics, quality of roads, conditions of check posts, loading conditions, clearing methodology at the destinations, pedestrian and animal traffic, above all traffic discipline and also the productivity of the individual and his state of mind. Improving the vehicle characteristics can be done by vehicle manufacturers by providing improved safety, driving comfort, energy efficiency and higher load on steering axle. Since the truck manufacturing is in the private sector they should concentrate on implementing a time-bound technology up gradation plan in consultation with the users namely All India Motor Transport Congress. The Central PWD and the State PWDs should use the modern technology of road construction which will need zero maintenance of the road. Also whenever defect occurs on the road they should realize the importance of keeping the life line open for fast movement with efficient bypass and repair it with utmost speed even by working at night. In addition, Guards must be provided on either side of the curb to prevent entry of pedestrians and animals on the highway. The truck owners should have the self-discipline to load the truck to the prescribed load limit. This discipline will ensure prevention of accidents and also early wear and tear of the road. The check posts need to be reduced & modernized with the vehicle scanning equipments to speed up the process. Now that modern technology is available the unloading and loading of trucks should be done through mechanized devices. This will enable faster loading and unloading resulting in the reduction of waiting time of the truck. Thus, we can see that improving the productivity is the cooperative endeavour between responsibility of the truck operator, Government, manufacturing industry and the user of the services.

Use of Bio-fuel

I am aware that the operational cost of our fleet has been consistently going up due to the rising cost of crude. Government has already permitted 10% blending of bio-fuels with diesel and many institutions are using such blended fuel for their fleet operation. I would suggest All India Motor Transport Congress to guide its members to make use of blended fuel for their operation which will substantially reduced the cost of operation and improve the profitability of the fleet owner. In addition, bio-fuel being carbon neutral will reduced the atmospheric pollution substantially.

Training of Drivers

There is an urgent need to have a Special Training Programme and Skill Certification for all Drivers who are joining the fleet operation from various States. Even when they have a valid driving license it should be made mandatory to have a induction training for the Drivers when they join the job with an emphasis on preparing them psychologically for stress free, accident free, disciplined driving. The training should be in two parts: one using a driver training simulator and second by actual driving on the road. I have come across such a training simulator in the Military College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Secundrabad. The All India Motor Transport Congress in collaboration with the respective State Governments can arrange training camps for all the new entrants. Such a training programme will ensure accident free driving on the road, resulting in large saving of National wealth. As per one estimate, India looses around Rs.25,000 Crores and 42,000 lives per year due to accidents. There is a need to have a rigorous driving test for assessing the driving skills, knowledge of road rules and the required eye sight. Much more losses are due to the slow delivery of goods by our road transports which handles almost 2/3rd of total cargo in the country. The Regional Transport Authorities must ensure that the licenses are issued only after acquiring the necessary skills and the knowledge the fair road practices. They must also introduce a system of periodic re-certification.

Imparting expertise for Drivers

I understand that most of the drivers enter the job with 8th class qualification. Importantly the drivers should be imparted skills for safety, saving of energy, maintenance etc. Periodic classes for the drivers must be conducted on off days when they are in Headquarters, for imparting of additional knowledge about life and their firm future. This Congress, local corporate and Government bodies can help the drivers to go beyond 8th standard by reading relevant materials as continuing education. Excellence in performance of drivers has to be recognized and celebrated.

Insurance Cover for the Drivers

The transport sector employs over 17 million people. Mostly they are in the unorganized sector. Our insurance companies should think of innovative insurance cover for the seventeen million people and their families as a part of the yearly insurance of the vehicle and the first insurance when the vehicle is rolled out of the factory. This insurance cover should be in a position to mitigate the suffering of the families of the drivers who encounter accidents.

HIV / AIDS

HIV / AIDS is a major challenge in India including for the transport sector. We have to ensure that the disease is not allowed to spread further. This will need cooperation and self control from the entire driving community. Very soon Anti-HIV/AIDS vaccine which is under going clinical trials will be available in the market in two years time. Another humane issue is to ensure that HIV affected children are not discriminated in schools and hospitals. It is essential that voluntary organizations and religious leaders of the locality provide a humane touch to these members of the society by removing the fear from the minds of the people.

Education of the children of the drivers

Drivers are away from home for large part of the month. Excepting the mother nobody is there to take care of the children at home. This may lead to child drop-out from the school. Certain voluntary organizations must come forward and take care of the uninterrupted education of these children. The All India Motor Transport Congress can discuss with local NGOs interested in education to provide this support to the families of the drivers.

Eight Point Oath

In view of the importance of the sector, I have designed an oath for the drivers and operating staff who are members of All India Motor Transport Congress. I would like to administer an eight point oath for all of you. Are you ready?

1. Transportation is the life line of the nation. I will endeavour to keep the transportation system moving.

2. I will always be a safe driver because it protects me my family, citizens and national wealth.

3. I will never drive under the influence of alcohol.

4. I will not waste my hard earned income in addiction and gambling.

5. I will lead an honest life free from corruption and will set an example for my children and family to follow.

6. I will obey all traffic rules and will not overload my vehicle to prevent accidents and other mishaps.

7. I will maintain the vehicle fully fit and ensure that it is road worthy at all times.

8. I will undergo periodic medical check up and always remember that I have my family and children who are dependent on me.

I would suggest the All India Motor Transport Congress office bearers may administer this Oath to all the drivers in their regions periodically.

If all of you follow the transportation and driving rules and maintain discipline, I am confident that you will be contributing towards saving over Rupees twenty five thousand crores of loss per year to the nation and save thousands of precious lives. My best wishes to all of you in your mission of providing an uninterrupted national life line.

May God bless you.