In a significant move to tackle the persistent issue of loose items falling from trucks onto roads, the government is set to introduce mandatory "mechanised covering" for vehicles transporting materials such as soil, construction debris, and municipal waste. This initiative aims to enhance road safety and reduce accidents caused by debris spillage.
Updated Truck Body Code to Include New Safety Measures
Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that the updated Truck Body Code will be notified soon, incorporating this requirement for automated or machine-assisted covering systems. The move comes after years of Supreme Court orders directing proper covering of trucks, which saw limited compliance due to enforcement challenges.
Industry and Government Collaborate on Implementation
Officials revealed that a committee under the road transport ministry, including industry representatives, has adopted the changes to the code. While the truck-manufacturing industry has requested a two-year implementation period, the government is pushing for rollout within the next year to expedite safety improvements.
The Automotive Industry Standards (AIS)-093, which deals with the Truck Body Code, has already been published. This standard addresses various safety concerns, including unsafe body building practices, structural weaknesses, overloading, instability, and non-uniform vehicle dimensions.
Enhanced Safety Features in Revised Code
Beyond mechanised covering, the revised code will introduce several advanced safety features. These include mandatory air-conditioned driver cabins, advanced driver assistance systems to improve operational safety, and updated provisions for under-run protection devices to prevent accidents involving smaller vehicles.
The AIS provisions establish minimum safety standards, ensuring structural integrity, dimensional uniformity, and roadworthiness for truck bodies built on approved chassis. This comprehensive approach aims to create a safer transportation ecosystem across India's road networks.
