Govt planning BNCAP-like safety tests for trucks, e-rickshaws: Details
Govt planning BNCAP-like safety tests for trucks.
In a bid to improve road safety in India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is working on introducing a safety rating system for trucks and commercial vehicles, modeled after the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) for passenger cars. Union Minister
Nitin Gadkari
announced the initiative while inaugurating a two-day workshop on
Vehicle and Fleet Safety
in New Delhi, jointly organized by Global NCAP and the Institute of
Road Traffic Education
(IRTE).
The new rating system aims to push manufacturers to improve vehicle build quality and incorporate more safety features, especially in heavy commercial vehicles that play a critical role in logistics and transport.
E-rickshaws also on radar
Alongside, the government is also working on safety standards for battery-operated e-rickshaws, which have often come under scrutiny due to safety concerns. Gadkari said that improving their safety will not only enhance commuter protection but also boost employment opportunities in the sector.
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India records nearly 4.8 lakh road crashes and 1.8 lakh fatalities annually and continues to rank highest in global road accident deaths. Gadkari reaffirmed that road safety remains a top priority for the government, alongside expanding
safe highways
, promoting EVs, and improving vehicle safety norms.
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The minister also revealed that new policies are underway to regulate the working hours of truck drivers, who often drive for 13-14 hours a day. To address the ongoing driver shortage, 32
driver training institutes
will be established across the country. He also highlighted recent mandates such as the requirement for air-conditioned driver cabins and the inclusion of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) in commercial vehicles.
On the education front, the ministry has made road safety part of the school curriculum for Classes 1 to 12. These lessons will be introduced in the current academic year, supported by a national road safety anthem sung by Shankar Mahadevan, which will be translated into 22 Indian languages.
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