For drivers, the original issue of hit-and-run still remains unresolved

Plans are afoot to create new 1,000-driver restrooms on national highways where fatigued drivers can rest and recuperate before resuming their journey

By Ramesh Kumar from New Delhi

It took Prime Minister Narendra Modi a month to respond, subtly though, to the agitating truck drivers’ concerns over the revised provisions of the criminal law with particular reference to the hit-and-run cases.

The Prime Minister used the Mobility Expo platform to showcase his concern about drivers’ welfare. He is fully aware that his $7 trillion dream by 2030 will be next to impossible without support from truck drivers.

The Government can build expressways and keep adding to the road network faster. The truck makers and mobility solution providers can sweat it out, making world-class trucks with world-class technology. But can they “drive” trucks on the highways that already exist and are being built at a huge cost? Impossible.

By the way, such world-class roads are built not for the Vande Bharat trains to chug on them or container-loaded ships to sail for overseas markets. Then, for whom are these built? The answer is obvious: road transport.

Also, by the same author: Hit-and-run imbroglio: Drivers getting a long rope to diffuse the crisis on their own? – THE NEWS PORTER

What did Prime Minister Modi say at the Mobility conference that made the “suited-booted” audience clap to showcase their appreciation? According to Modi, plans are afoot to create new 1,000-driver restrooms on national highways where fatigued drivers can rest and recuperate before resuming their journey to feed the 1.4 billion population by supplying raw materials to the manufacturers and subsequently ferrying the finished goods to the marketplace.

It is no secret that India also embraced the outsourcing model plus the just-in-time concept. Of course, the idea is good.

It is never too late. It is pertinent to point out here that the concept of driver restroom on highways is nothing new. State-owned oil marketing companies (Indian Oil, BPCL & HPCL) have already created a few such facilities over the years. Unfortunately, they were never put to optimum use. Why? Because caring for drivers is not a top priority for OMCs or the Industry, the ultimate end users. Such driver restroom facilities built with taxpayers’ money remain underutilized.

Now, we hear the top of a fresh thousand such amenities. Given that it is a Government project, how long such driver-friendly projects will become a reality is anyone’s guess.

None can match Prime Minister Modi’s messaging strategy. He timed it with the Mobility conference. Did he address the anxiety over the hit-and-run issue directly? Definitely not.

Transport lobby groups are rejoicing as if the latest PM message will halt the worried drivers who are abruptly toying with the idea of abandoning truck driving as a career at a time when the Government concedes that there is a 22% driver shortage.

Freight movement by road transport is not a newly invented challenge for the 10-year-old NDA Government. For 70 years, little concern was shown towards driver welfare. Even under the NDA spell, all focus remained on building more and more roads.

Prime Minister Modi is confident of a consecutive third term (2024-29). So, let’s hope he will walk the talk in the new innings.

The Indian Industry should support the Government by adopting these 1,000-driver restroom facilities as a PPP model. Money is no issue for the industry. Look at their CSR coffers. Let them dig into that kitty to fund and manage such nation-building initiatives. Profiting is fine but genuine care for those who help them build their castles and fulfil their dreams will not dent their prosperity.

Such an inclusive mindset change will be a win-win situation for all. Drivers will be happy; the Industry can be assured of safe and timely delivery of their raw materials and finished products; more importantly, India’s desire to slash road fatalities by half at the earliest due to fatigued drivers resting en route will become a reality; possibly, of course, Prime Minister Modi can realise the $7 trillion dream by 2030.

Before concluding, let us remember that the original issue remains unresolved.

(Main Image on top by Andreas160578 from Pixabay has been used for illustrative purposes only)

The author is a seasoned business and economic journalist. He can be reached at konsultramesh@gmail.com. The views are the author’s own, and The News Porter bears no responsibility for the same.