Question : LOAD CEILING FOR TRUCKS

(a) the specified load ceiling for various categories of trucks presently applicable in the country, category-wise alongwith the date of notification of the said ceiling;

(b) whether the Government proposes to increase the present specified load ceiling for registered trucks;

(c) if not, the reasons therefore;

(d) whether the All India Motor Truck Transport Union has sought to enhance the load ceiling of motor vehicles;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the load hearing capacity of latest trucks and multi-axel trucks has increased as compared to earlier trucks due to increase in Horse Power and heavy and capacity; and

(g) if so, the reaction of the Government on the issue raised by the Transport Union?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MAHADEO SINGH KHANDELA)

(a) Maximum permissible Gross Vehicle Weight for various categories of motor vehicles were notified vide GSR No. 728(E) dated 18.10.1996 and GSR No. 517(E) dated 26.5.2000. The specified load ceiling in accordance with these notifications is at annexure.

(b) No, Sir.

(c) A study report submitted by Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in 2008 revealed that even an increase of 10% in the existing load ceiling of the trucks would incur an additional expenditure of Rs. 20 lakhs per lane per kilometer for maintenance of National Highways which would not be economically sustainable.

(d) No such request has been received in the recent past from All India Motor Truck Transport Union.

(e) Does not arise in view of (d) above.

(f)&(g) The load ceilings for various categories of motor vehicles have been prescribed on the basis of the designed load bearing capacity of National Highways. Though the trucks with higher horse power capable of carrying higher loads are now available, the load ceiling of motor vehicles cannot be fixed on the basis of horse power keeping in view the existing design strength of our roads.