Date:18/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/18/stories/2008011859480900.htm

Tamil Nadu

Goods transport industry bemoans shortage of truck drivers

Special Correspondent

“Industry will face a serious crisis”
Youth not interested in taking up the job

CHENNAI: Shortage of truck drivers is plaguing the goods transport industry in the country, and unless a viable solution is found soon, it will face a serious crisis, the Chennai Goods Transport Association has cautioned.

Briefing newspersons on Thursday about the association’s 35th annual celebrations here on January 19, management committee member and former president, K.M. Narasimhan, said there were 65 lakh trucks and 1.5 crore drivers in the country.

For new trucks, 1.5 lakh drivers were needed a year. However, youngsters were not interested in the job. There was also migration of drivers to foreign countries. Due to shortage of drivers, 25 per cent of the trucks were lying idle.

Association president K.K. Sasidharan, said about 15,000 trucks in Tamil Nadu were idle.

The office-bearers said a reason for youth not taking to truck driving was harassment by various authorities and the wrong social stigma attached to truck drivers.

The government, transport operators and other stake holders should jointly address the issue. The immediate requirement is setting up of two driver training institutes in each State. In the long run, such a facility should be provided in each district.

The association also urged the government to complete road projects in time. Transport operators were struggling to earn reasonable margins to sustain their business mainly due to low turnaround of trucks resulting in revenue loss.

Unlike those in foreign countries, which covered nearly 800 km a day, trucks in India did only 350 km due to delay in implementing road projects, “unwanted checkposts” and frequent intervention by various authorities.

The association said insurance companies in the public and private sector refused to cover third party insurance. The companies also increased insurance premium unilaterally. Transit insurance cover should be made mandatory for customers.

This was essential to save transport operators from losses arising from any damage during transit due to factors beyond their control.