'We have lots to catch-up in terms of CV safety norms in India': Satyakam Arya

With a dominant 80 percent share of unsafe, cowl-based trucks in the market, the need for reforms in India's regulatory framework is critical to enhance the state of road safety in the country.

By Ketan Thakkar

31 May 2023

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'We have lots to catch-up in terms of CV safety norms in India': Satyakam Arya

The commercial vehicle (CV) segment in India faces severe challenges when it comes to the safety of these heavy-duty vehicles on the roads. While lack of skilled drivers is a key concern, long working hours, unfit vehicles, as well as the dominating market share of unsafe, cowl-based, non-AC trucks that offer poor cabin comfort, too hamper safety performance and risk driver's life in the event of an accident.

Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), talks about how India needs to rapidly catch up when it comes to implementing stricter regulations pertaining to safety of trucks and buses in India, as well as the need for a mindset shift among all stakeholders when it comes to road safety.

Arya also elucidates about the need for the industry to voluntarily offer safety measures in CVs, as well as strengthen the driver training infrastructure by leveraging technology to scale up efforts on such programmes to create a skilled, safe workforce.