Nitin Gadkari: Urgent Need for Heavy Vehicle Driver Training

New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday underscored the urgent need to educate and train drivers of heavy vehicles and construction equipment, saying there is currently no mandatory provision for such training in the country.

Speaking at an event here, Gadkari said, "A large number of drivers need to be educated about driving. It is equally important. Particularly for heavy vehicles and construction equipment, there is no provision for training."

The minister said he has already urged major equipment manufacturers, including JCB India, to institute formal training programmes for imparting training to these drivers.

​"I have already requested companies like JCB and others that you should have a training programme. Before selling your equipment, you should give training to the drivers. That is very important," he said.

Gadkari added that the government is working to create greater awareness among all stakeholders in the road transport and construction ecosystem to improve safety and operational efficiency.


"I am happy that now we are always trying to create awareness in the minds of the stakeholders, by which we are trying to achieve that goal," the minister said.

His comments came amid a push by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry to tighten safety norms, mandate advanced driver-assistance systems and reduce road accidents involving commercial and heavy vehicles. He further said that the country recorded 81,780 deaths of two-wheeler riders, the highest in the world.

Listing other major causes of fatalities, Gadkari said non-use of seat belts accounted for 14,466 deaths, while hit-and-run cases stood at 34,030.

"Now in our country, the two-wheeler deaths stand at 81,780, highest in the world. Seat belt non-use, 14,466 deaths; hit-and-run cases, 34,030," Gadkari said.

Other significant factors contributing to accidents include wrong-side driving, drunk driving and the use of mobile phones while operating vehicles, the minister said.