Nitin Gadkari Launches India's First 'Road Train' for Long-Distance Transport

Synopsis

On February 15, Nitin Gadkari launched India’s first 'Road Train' in Nagpur, marking a significant advancement in long-haul transport. This initiative aligns with the government's Gati Shakti plan and aims to enhance logistics efficiency.

Key Takeaways

Inauguration of India’s first 'Road Train' by Nitin Gadkari.
Increased cargo capacity with vehicle lengths of up to 25.25 meters.
Volvo FM 420 Road Train offers a cargo volume 50% higher than standard trailers.
Certified for operation between Nagpur and Bhiwandi.
Equipped with advanced safety features for enhanced transport efficiency.

New Delhi, Feb 15 (NationPress) Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Saturday inaugurated India’s inaugural “Road Train” in Nagpur, heralding a new chapter in long-distance transportation, significantly improving efficiency and capacity within the logistics sector.

In alignment with the government’s ‘Gati Shakti’ master plan, the ‘Road Train’ concept was officially integrated into regulations in 2020, permitting vehicle lengths of up to 25.25 meters. A ‘Road Train’ comprises a tractor unit pulling two or more trailers, thereby substantially enhancing cargo capacity.

The Volvo Truck’s 'Road Train' incorporates a 24-feet containerized intermediate trailer alongside a 44-feet semi-trailer, offering a total cargo volume of 144 cubic meters — which is 50 percent greater than conventional semi-trailers.

After completing extensive testing and trials, the Volvo FM 420 4X2 Road Train has received certification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) for operations between Delhivery hubs in Nagpur and Bhiwandi.

“Crafted to boost the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of road transport, it is perfectly in line with the ongoing evolution in Indian logistics and the government’s Gati Shakti master plan,” stated Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd.

The Volvo ‘FM 420 4X2 Road Train’ is furnished with cutting-edge safety features, which include an Electronic Braking System (EBS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), a 360-degree camera system, a self-steering axle on the trailer, a dashboard load monitor, downhill cruise control, and a stretch brake for improved stability and control, among others.

According to Suraj Saharan, Co-founder and Chief People’s Officer at Delhivery, from transitioning to tractor-trailers to LNG and electric trucks, “Volvo has played a pivotal role in our journey”.

Volvo trucks are manufactured in 12 countries around the world. Volvo Trucks is a segment of the Volvo Group, one of the premier manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment, and marine and industrial engines globally. VE Commercial Vehicles Limited (VECV) operates as a joint venture between the Volvo Group and Eicher Motors Limited.