With the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways making anti-lock braking system (ABS) mandatory from April 1, lorry owners are up in arms against its installation.
Lorry Owners Federation and Tamilnadu Edible Oil Tank Lorry Owners Association have said installation of ABS and speed governors has always created problems.
They agreed the speed governors and ABS will reduce accidents involving commercial vehicles like trucks and lorries, but the cost factor will hurt the owners who are already bleeding.
They estimate this will put additional burden of about Rs 1.5 lakh per vehicle. The ABS, which helps riders maintain stability without skidding while applying the brake, will be mandatory for lorries also.
This comes at a time when insurance premium have gone up by about 30% and 12% hike in toll charges. "Already we are bleeding and this will put pressure further on us," an office bearer of federation.
"Some of the old lorries are 20-year-old models. Resale value for these vehicles are very less and they are generally used for carrying cement, rice and pulses. Will it be feasible to buy a system for about Rs 50,000 for such vehicles? Moreover, the vehicles can't run more than 50 kmph. So, it is very difficult to implement the system," said one of the association members.
Government statistics show 1.35 lakh people died in 2010 in road accidents across India, which increased to 1.42 lakh in 2011. About 31% of the incidents involve commercial vehicles like trucks, buses and tractors.
Lorry Owners Federation and Tamilnadu Edible Oil Tank Lorry Owners Association have said installation of ABS and speed governors has always created problems.
They agreed the speed governors and ABS will reduce accidents involving commercial vehicles like trucks and lorries, but the cost factor will hurt the owners who are already bleeding.
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This comes at a time when insurance premium have gone up by about 30% and 12% hike in toll charges. "Already we are bleeding and this will put pressure further on us," an office bearer of federation.
"Some of the old lorries are 20-year-old models. Resale value for these vehicles are very less and they are generally used for carrying cement, rice and pulses. Will it be feasible to buy a system for about Rs 50,000 for such vehicles? Moreover, the vehicles can't run more than 50 kmph. So, it is very difficult to implement the system," said one of the association members.
Government statistics show 1.35 lakh people died in 2010 in road accidents across India, which increased to 1.42 lakh in 2011. About 31% of the incidents involve commercial vehicles like trucks, buses and tractors.
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