Stricter Regulations on Overloading Likely to Increase M&HCV Sales

While the entire country is reeling under the effects of demonetization, the commercial vehicle industry is currently booming. Apart from the festive season and pre-buying before the implementation of BS-IV emission norms (in the next financial year) which have already led to a growth in sales, stricter overloading regulations are likely to add to the sale numbers.

Overloaded trucks, a frequent sight on Indian roads, are currently under the scanner. The government is taking strict measures to curb overloading and as per a notification dated December 21, 2015, has directed toll plaza operators to check whether the trucks are carrying more than the rated payload (the permissible load that a vehicle can carry). If the load is found to be beyond the permissible limit, the vehicles will be towed to designated parking spots. Besides removing the excess load, operators will have to pay a heavy penalty as well as hand over towing and parking fees.

Due to these stringent initiatives, the transportation industry is now gradually shifting from 25-tonne trucks to 37-tonne and 49-tonne haulage trucks. As per a report in Economic Times, demand for 25-tonne trucks have decreased by half this fiscal year whereas sale of heavy-duty tippers (32 percent) and tractor-trailers have increased (6 percent).

Scrutiny on overloaded trucks started from the year 2005 onward after the Supreme Court issued a ban to curb overloaded trucks on Indian roads. Any overloaded vehicle on Indian roads can be stopped and the extra load confiscated, and a heavy fine will be levied on the transporter.

Roads in different regions are built to handle different load capacities and even a 10 percent increase in load weight can cause enough damage to reduce the lifespan of a truck by 35 percent.

Apart from increasing the longevity of India’s roads, trucks and trailers with higher tonnage reduce congestion, curb pollution and reduce the chances of accidents.