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Time of India
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
State transport discusses proposed policies on proof of parking, decongestion
Mumbai: The state transport department on Friday conducted a key meeting with all stakeholders across the transport and urban planning spectrum to discuss the proposed proof of parking (for new vehicle registration) and congestion management policy. The govt plans to make it mandatory for buyers to show proof of parking for any new registration in the near future. It also plans to introduce new measures to reduce congestion on city roads. A detailed presentation was made on the subject, followed by inputs from stakeholders. The road transport fraternity submitted a memorandum, where the core point discussed was the conversion of old octroi nakas in Mumbai—specifically Mankhurd, Mulund, and Dahisar—into Integrated Truck Terminals equipped with parking bays and EV charging stations. "We proposed that the govt should go ahead with converting the octroi nakas into truck terminals where all the heavy goods vehicles will terminate and goods will be offloaded," said Bal Malkit Singh from All India Motor Transport Congress. "In future, only smaller vehicles will be allowed to load the goods at the octroi naka and bring it inside the city. These vehicles will also run on environmentally friendly fuel such as CNG and electric. This, in turn, will reduce not just congestion on roads but also air pollution," Singh said. "Converting existing idle infrastructure like old octroi nakas into modern truck terminals is a practical, cost-effective step toward a cleaner, efficient, and future-ready transport ecosystem in line with the Union govt's vision for Viksit Bharat 2047," Singh added.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra proposes doing away with attendants in heavy vehicles
Mumbai: Maharashtra's transport department has proposed doing away with the mandatory requirement of having attendants on heavy vehicles, goods carriers and passenger buses, saying it's an outdated concept given the technological upgrades that have come through in the last few years, according to officials. However, the state's law and judiciary department and a section of the transport department itself, along with experts, have opposed the proposal, saying it goes against the existing rules and could lead to a rise in accidents on highways, according to officials. The move, if cleared, would affect millions of people employed as cleaners and helpers in over 1.2 million heavy vehicles in the state. The transport department moved the proposal last month, citing similar moves by other states like Gujarat, and sought opinions from various state departments and officials. The proposal stated that although most other states require an attendant in heavy vehicles, Maharashtra can amend the rules for vehicles less than 18 metres in length by making a 360-degree vision camera mandatory. However, the law and judiciary department, along with officials from the transport department and the office of the transport commissioner, have opposed the proposal, saying there needs to be a study of other potential effects of this rule change, including the loss of jobs and potential litigations. The law and judiciary department also said that amending the rules on the basis of vehicle length cannot be done, said officials from the transport department, requesting anonymity. Rule 249 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules 1989 makes it mandatory for a driver of a heavy goods and passenger motor vehicle to be accompanied by an attendant. 'The attendant shall be in a position to give warning of any traffic approaching from the rear and shall assist the driver by giving signals when the motor vehicle is being taken in reverse,' the rule states. On a national level, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, does not specifically require attendants to be present in heavy vehicles or buses, except in certain cases, like school buses. Maharashtra's transport department decided to move the proposal following a presentation by associations representing heavy vehicles. Bal Malkit Singh, former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress, who was involved in the discussions, said that the compulsion of having cleaners is an outdated concept that does not exist in other states and across the globe. 'The rules framed by the government making the cleaner mandatory are age-old and no longer required,' he said. 'The technology has changed—vehicles have dashboards, dash cameras, and GPS technology. Apart from this, the clutches, brakes, and wheels are so smooth that they do not give any fatigue to the driver like in the past. Road conditions have improved, and they are equipped with CCTV cameras. As such, the concept has been outdated and does not exist anywhere in the world. After our discussion and presentation, the state transport department has moved the proposal to do away with the cleaners,' he added. Singh also said that attendants are unlikely to go jobless if the proposal is cleared, as there is a 22% shortage of drivers for heavy vehicles in the country. 'Vehicles have not been able to ply because of the shortage. The cleaners could be provided with driver training to enable them to take up the job of a driver,' he added. In April, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said in the Lok Sabha that India is facing a shortage of 2.2 million skilled drivers. The country has over 10 million trucks and lorries. However, AV Shenoy, transport expert and member of the Mumbai Mobility Forum, said that such a decision would be suicidal at a time when India's road accident rate is among the highest in the world. 'If there is no concept of cleaners in other countries, [that's because] there are enough roadside facilities at a specific distance on highways for the rest and refreshment of drivers. The roads are in good condition and the technology of vehicles is much advanced. Cleaners provide physical assistance and psychological support to the drivers who drive for hours and mostly during the night because of the restrictions during daytime. Most of the time, the drivers of goods carriers are alone on highways, and in such a scenario, the cleaners play crucial roles,' he said. According to a 2021 World Bank report, India accounts for 11% of global road accident deaths despite having only 1% of the world's vehicles. India records around 450,000 road accidents annually, leading to 150,000 deaths, the report said. Gadkari had said last month that about 180,000 people die in India every year due to road accidents.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
State to shut down its 22 border check posts
MUMBAI: The 22 border check posts, that had become a breeding ground of corruption, will be closed soon. The posts are meant to check tax evasion and illegal transportation of goods between states. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Sunday said that the decision was based on a report by the transport commissioner and on the lines of the directives issued by the central government. 'The state government will have to pay ₹504 crore to the incumbent operators as compensation towards the infrastructure set up at the posts,' he said. 'The transport department has sent the proposal to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the final approval.' Sarnaik pointed out that the posts, established in 1966 to control vehicle movement and ensure compliance with transport regulations, were no longer required in the GST regime and advancements in digital enforcement measures. 'The union transport minister and Maharashtra CM have both directed us to shut them,' he said. The 22 check posts in the bordering areas were integrated in 2009, with Sadbhav Infrastructure Projects awarded the contract to set up the infrastructure and operate them. Adani Private Limited took them over three years ago. 'The company was looking after the operations and maintenance of the posts,' said a statement issued by the transport department. 'After compensating the operator, the technology, set-up and assets will be taken over by the transport department.' Eighteen states, including Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, have already shut down their check posts. 'There are lots of complaints about the corruption and exploitation by transport department officers during the checking of goods vehicles,' said an official from the department. 'These appointments are considered plum postings involving financial considerations. Perhaps that accounts for the delay in the decision to shut them down.' The report submitted by transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar states that the existing mechanism to check goods vehicles could be replaced by an online electronic system. It also states that the transformation will help in increasing efficiency, reduce delays and curb malpractices. Bal Malkit Singh, advisor and former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress, said that the decision to shut the posts would greatly benefit the road transport sector. 'It will reduce corruption and delays, and align Maharashtra with the progressive vision of digital and seamless transport operations,' he said. 'It will also eliminate bottlenecks in interstate transportation, enhance road safety and implement a paperless, technology-driven monitoring system in line with the 'ease of doing business' framework.'
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Himachal govt to convert 3,000 petrol, diesel vehicles into EVs: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh govt has set a target of converting 3,000 petrol and diesel vehicles into e-vehicles this year, said chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday. Presiding over the All India Motor Transport Congress (National Truck and Bus Meet) at Gandhi Gram in Solan district, Sukhu said greenhouse gases were the main cause of pollution and 16%-20% of greenhouse gases were emitted from the transport sector. This situation is posing a serious threat to environmental health, he added. "The increasing number of petrol and diesel vehicles in the state are becoming a major cause of pollution," said the CM. Keeping this in mind, state govt has decided to increase the use of e-vehicles, and this measure is proving to be helpful in the protection and conservation of environmental resources besides minimising air pollution, said Sukhu. As the high footfall of visitors also affects environment in hilly states, the state govt is strengthening tourism infrastructure with special attention on environmental protection and sustainable development, he remarked. He added state govt had set a target of making Himachal a green energy state by March 2026. The action plan that has been made to achieve this goal includes encouraging the use of electric vehicles as well as expanding the infrastructure for it. Sukhu said the govt has launched the Rs 680-crore Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojana wherein a 50% subsidy is being provided on the purchase of e-taxis to youth. E-taxis have also been attached to various govt departments, corporations, boards, and other institutions. Under the e-taxi scheme, so far 50 e-taxis have been attached to govt departments, and 50 more e-taxis will be approved before May 10, he added.
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Himachal Pradesh Govt To Foster EV Adoption, Subsidy In Place For E-Taxis
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has set a target to replace 3,000 petrol and diesel vehicles by EVs this year, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday. Presiding over the All India Motor Transport Congress 'National Truck and Bus Meet' in Solan district, he said the government is replacing diesel buses by e-buses in a phased manner to provide clean and green transport to the people of the state, including tourists. "I am happy that this event is not only associated with the sustainable development of Himachal Pradesh, but it also plays a pivotal role in devising strategies for environmental sustainability for the future as well," he said in a statement issued here. "I have been using an e-vehicle for quite some time, which is very economical", he said and added that "this year the government has set a target of converting 3,000 petrol and diesel vehicles into e-vehicles." The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has issued tenders to purchase 297 electric buses at a cost of Rs 412 crore, and charging stations are also being set up at bus stations at a cost of Rs 124 crore. In addition to this, 500 e-buses will be purchased in 2025-26, he said. Sukhu said that six green corridors have been constructed in the state and soon 41 additional charging stations would be set up in these corridors. The present government has provided 100 per cent exemption in the road tax and 50 per cent exemption in the special road tax on registration of e-commercial vehicles. With the aim of providing self-employment opportunities to the youth, the government is going to provide new permits for 1,000 bus routes to the private sector. The government is providing subsidies of up to 40 per cent on e-vehicles (buses or tempo travellers), on these routes, and efforts were afoot to fully electrify the public transport sector in near future, Sukhu said. The chief minister said the state government has set a target of making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by March 2026, and to promote e-vehicles in the state, EVs will be used in all government offices in Hamirpur, his home district, in the first phase. Himachal Pradesh is one of the most admired and sought-after tourist destinations in the country with its pristine beauty. As high footfall of visitors also affects the environment, the state government is strengthening the tourism infrastructure with special attention on environmental protection and sustainable development. Sukhu said the government has launched Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Startup Yojana wherein 50 per cent subsidy is being provided for the purchase of e-taxis to the youth. These e-taxis have also been attached to various government departments, corporations, boards and other institutions. Under the e-taxi scheme, so far 50 e-taxis have been attached to government departments, and 50 more will be approved before May 10, he said. PTI BPL ANU ANU
