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114
MOTORINDIA
l
July 2012
Focus more on multi-mode
connectivity:
Dr. Sumantran
The future of road transport in In-
dia is stable with growing urbanisa-
tion all over the country. However,
there is need for multi-mode con-
nectivity for which more and more
collaborative measures are required
mainly to reduce the CO
2
footprint.
The emphasis should also be on the
role of IT development to facilitate
freight movement.
Delivering the special address at
the conference on “Creating Car-
bon Neutral Chennai: Planning for
Integrated Freight Movement”, or-
ganised by the Madras Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in
Chennai, Dr. V. Sumantran, Vice-
Chairman, Ashok Leyland Ltd., said
the idling and clogging of trucks
caused a lot of CO
2
emission which
can of course be tackled through
various practical measures. In this
regard, the three stakeholders,
namely, the citizen, the Government
and industry should work together in
solving the various problems arising
out of heavy freight movement.
Referring to Chennai, known as
the Detroit of India, he said that,
with its educated population, good
logistics and a strong industrial
base, the city remains a major attrac-
tion where Ashok Leyland would
continue investing. Very recently,
the Tamil Nadu Government an-
nounced four large projects, includ-
ing two for commercial vehicles,
near the city.
Mr. T.K. Ramachandran, Secre-
tary, the Highways & Minor Ports
Dept., Government of Tamil Nadu,
in his inaugural address, said that
Dr. V. Sumantran, Vice-Chairman, Ashok Leyland Ltd., delivering his special address at the conference on “Creating Car-
bon Neutral Chennai: Planning for Integrated Freight Movement”, organised by the Madras Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (MCCI) in Chennai. Seated (from left) are Mrs. K. Saraswathi, Secretary General, MCCI, Mr. T. Shivaraman, MCCI
Vice President, and Managing Director & CEO, Shriram EPC Ltd., Mr. T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, the Highways & Minor
Ports Dept., Government of Tamil Nadu, Mr. S.N. Srikanth, Senior Partner, Hauer Associates, and Mr. J. Krishnan, Chairman,
MCCI Expert Committee on Logistics, and Partner, S.Natesa Iyer & Co.
emission control