Higher axle loads to improve efficiency; safety concerns should be addressed: SIAM

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Wednesday said that the recent central government notification increasing the maximum permissible axle loads on trucks will improve transport efficiency.

However, SIAM cautioned that in the absence of adequate enforcement of rated load compliance in the field, prevalent practices of rampant overload could pose serious road safety threats and may necessitate the government to issue suitable advisories for better clarity.

According to SIAM President Abhay Firodia: "Globally, higher axle loads are permitted which enables higher efficiencies in the goods transport industry."

"With the modernisation of India's roads and highways, it is natural for government to look at higher load carrying capacities in trucks. SIAM, in principle, has supported an increase in axle loads upto the European levels," Firodia was quoted as saying in a statement.

As per the statement, the notification has raised safety concerns.

Firodia added that the existing vehicles on the road are not certified for safety with the higher axle loads and that the recent notification should not allow the existing vehicles to carry higher loads.

--IANS

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