Tire company's claim stirs debate on overloading in India

ERJ staff report (BC)

New Delhi – "Heavy and medium commercial vehicles carry 10-200 percent load above the registered laden weight". This statement on record by a major Indian tire manufacturer (unnamed) has stirred a major debate at a time when the Indian cabinet has ordered stiffer penalties on overloaded vehicles, reported Dipak Kumar Dash for the Times of India.

The company is reported to have stated this when the All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners' Associations sought details of the company’s product, which was claimed to have a “70 percent higher load-carrying capacity".

The tire maker added that in the interest of the transport industry, overloading must be "curbed" to prevent road damage and enhance safety and fuel efficiency.

On 23 October, representatives from state governments reiterated the need to find a technical solution to prevent overloading, such as a "weight governor" for heavy vehicles.

Indian transport ministry officials are reported to be struggling with how to take action on overloading, since there is apparently no legal provision for this.

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Full story from Times of India