The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to introduce a Safety Assessment Rating System for trucks and commercial vehicles.
This initiative is modelled on the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP), India’s indigenous star-rating system for passenger vehicles. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, highlighted the urgency of such initiatives, noting that India records the highest number of fatal road accidents globally, with approximately 4.8 lakh crashes and 1.8 lakh deaths annually. He emphasized that improving vehicle safety standards is a critical priority for the government.
The new safety rating system aims to encourage manufacturers to enhance the production quality of commercial vehicles, thereby improving safety standards. Additionally, the government is actively working on developing standards and a safety assessment framework for battery-operated e-rickshaws, which currently face critical safety issues. Enhancing safety in e-rickshaws will not only improve product quality but also generate employment opportunities. To address the issue of driver fatigue and improve working conditions, Gadkari announced plans to regulate the working hours of truck drivers, who currently drive for 13–14 hours per day. The ministry is also working on legislation to define working hours for truck drivers and plans to set up 32 state-of-the-art driver training institutes across the country. Furthermore, air-conditioning in truck driver cabins has already been made mandatory, and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) will also be required in commercial vehicles.
In an effort to build a culture of road safety, Gadkari announced that road safety education has been introduced as part of the school curriculum for Classes 1 to 12 starting this academic year. A new road safety anthem, composed by eminent singer Shankar Mahadevan, will be translated into 22 Indian languages to promote road safety awareness nationwide. The two-day Vehicle and Fleet Safety Workshop, jointly organised by the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) at the College of Traffic Management in Faridabad, reviewed the progress made globally and in India in vehicle safety since 2000. Special sessions focused on fleet safety, motorcycle safety, and the implementation of the Global Plan vehicle safety recommendations across G20 economies, including India.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving road safety and reducing the number of accidents and fatalities on Indian roads. By introducing a safety assessment rating system for commercial vehicles and e-rickshaws, the government aims to enhance vehicle safety standards, improve working conditions for drivers, and promote road safety awareness among the public.
Also Read: BMC plans helipad on Worli coastal road stretch
