The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to launch a safety assessment rating system for trucks and commercial vehicles, modeled after the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP), India’s own four-wheel star rating system.
“The aim is to encourage manufacturers to enhance production quality and make vehicles safer,” said Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. “The government is also working on setting standards and a safety assessment system for battery-operated e-rickshaws, which face significant safety challenges. Improving the safety of e-rickshaws will enhance their quality and create more employment opportunities.” Gadkari made these remarks during the inauguration of a two-day workshop on Vehicle and Fleet Safety, jointly organized by the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE).
“India has the highest number of fatal road accidents, with 4.8 lakh crashes annually, resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths. The government’s top priority is road safety, the expansion of safe highways, vehicle safety, and the promotion of electric vehicles. We are also working on reducing logistics costs from the current 14-16% to 9% over the next few years, as the automobile industry plays a crucial role in India’s economic growth,” added Mr. Gadkari.
“Ministry of roadways is also working on law to determine the working hours for trick drivers at present they drive for 13-14 hours a day. As country is facing shortage of truck drivers govt also plans to set up 32 state pf the art driving institutes across the country. Airconditioning of driver compartments have already been mandatory by the ministry. Advanced Driver-Assistance system (ADAS) to assist drivers has also been made mandatory “ the minister said.
“ A few days back government has introduced road safety as part of school curriculum for students of class 1-12 , the modules will be introduced in the current academic year. A song by eminent singer Shankar Mahadevan as road safety anthem will be translated in 22 languages across nation to spread awareness about road safety “ the minister added. This high-level “The two-day Workshop will review progress in vehicle safety worldwide and in India since 2000 and the priority actions needed to achieve further improvements by 2030 and beyond. In particular, the meeting will examine efforts to improve automobile safety worldwide by reviewing the progress made by the G20 major economies, including India, to implement the Global Plan vehicle safety recommendations and feature special sessions on fleet and motorcycle safety.” Said Dr Rohit Baluja, President, IRTE .
Mr David Ward, President , Emeritus , GNCAP speaking on the occasion said “ Consumers in India with most vehicle having GNCAP and BNCAP assessment ratings have better choice of safer vehicles. It is a good moment towards UN objective of road safety by 2030.
