Maharashtra proposes doing away with attendants in heavy vehicles

Maharashtra's transport department has proposed doing away with the mandatory requirement of having attendants on heavy vehicles, goods carriers and passenger buses, saying it's an outdated concept given the technological upgrades that have come through in the last few years, according to officials.

- Surendra P Gangan

MUMBAI:

However, the state's law and judiciary department and a section of the transport department itself, along with experts, have opposed the proposal, saying it goes against the existing rules and could lead to a rise in accidents on highways, according to officials. The move, if cleared, would affect millions of people employed as cleaners and helpers in over 1.2 million heavy vehicles in the state.

The transport department moved the proposal last month, citing similar moves by other states like Gujarat, and sought opinions from various state departments. The proposal stated that although most other states require an attendant in heavy vehicles, Maharashtra can amend the rules for vehicles less than 18 metres in length by making a 360-degree vision camera mandatory.