India to Introduce Safety Ratings for Trucks and E-Rickshaws

Key Highlights:

• India will introduce safety ratings for trucks and e-rickshaws, similar to Bharat NCAP.
• Safety standards for e-rickshaws are being developed to boost quality and job creation.
• The government is addressing India’s road safety crisis, focusing on safer vehicles and highways.
• Plans include regulating truck driver working hours and setting up advanced driving institutes.
• Road safety is now part of school curricula, with an anthem to raise awareness.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, led by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, announced plans to introduce safety assessment ratings for trucks and commercial vehicles. These assessment ratings will be the same as the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP), which evaluates passenger vehicle safety. The announcement was made during a two-day workshop on vehicle and fleet safety in Faridabad. The workshop was organized by the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE).

Improving E-Rickshaw Safety

The government is also developing safety standards for battery-operated e-rickshaws, which face significant safety issues. Gadkari emphasized that improving e-rickshaw safety will improve their quality, encourage better manufacturing, and create more jobs.

Support for Truck Drivers

To improve the conditions of the truck drivers, who often work 13-14 hours daily, the ministry is working on laws to regulate working hours. Additionally, 32 advanced driving institutes will be established to address the shortage of skilled drivers. The government has also mandated air-conditioned cabins and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) for trucks.

Addressing India’s Road Safety Crisis

India faces approximately 4.8 lakh road crashes each year, resulting in 1.8 lakh deaths. To tackle this, the government is prioritising road safety, safer highways, vehicle safety, and the promotion of electric vehicles.

Road Safety in Schools

Road safety is now part of the school curriculum for students in classes 1 to 12, starting this academic year. A road safety anthem, composed by Shankar Mahadevan, will be translated into 22 languages to raise awareness across India.

Workshop Focus

The Faridabad workshop will review global and Indian vehicle safety progress since 2000 and outline key actions needed by 2030. Dr. Rohit Baluja, IRTE President, stated that the event will assess G20 efforts to implement vehicle safety recommendations, with a focus on fleet and motorcycle safety. David Ward, GNCAP President Emeritus, highlighted that BNCAP and GNCAP ratings help Indian consumers choose safer vehicles, aligning with the UN’s 2030 road safety goals.

Bharat NCAP Expansion

Launched in August 2023, the Bharat NCAP evaluates passenger vehicles for adult and child safety and awards star ratings. Extending similar ratings to commercial vehicles marks a major step in improving safety in India’s massive automobile market.

Also Read: Montra Electric Opens First e-SCV Dealership in Rajasthan

CMV360 Says

It’s good to see the government is taking steps to make roads safer with safety ratings for trucks and e-rickshaws. Road accidents are a big issue in India, so focusing on safer vehicles and better working conditions for truck drivers is a positive move by the Indian Government. Adding road safety to school curriculums will also raise awareness from a young age. Overall, these efforts could make an impact in reducing road accidents and improving the quality of vehicles on Indian roads.