Association’s sustained service to truck industry
Transport being the major industry other than agriculture, Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu, noted for its truck body building, has a large number of bulk carriers run through all over the country. Tiruchengode, near Namakkal, is known for its body-building industry for trucks, trailers, tankers and rig units. Trucks and rig units are even exported to various global destinations from Namakkal. Almost 80 per cent of bulk carriers are operated from this region to various cities and towns across the nation.
As it is evident that the commercial vehicle industry is visibly hit by the slowdown in the economy, the MOTORINDIA team decided to learn more about the current scenario in Namakkal district from Mr. K. Nallathambi, President of the Namakkal Taluk Lorry Owners’ Association (NTLOA) and the State Lorry Owners’ Federation – Tamil Nadu, at his office. Though there is not much of infrastructural development happening in the district, it has the highest number of trucks in India.
He says: “There are 54,000 trucks in this district within an area of 16 sq. km. Almost 5,00,000 people are dependent on the transport sector in this region. There are a few more who have come from other States for their livelihood. Heavy duty multi-axle trucks can be seen predominantly here. We also have around 5,200 trailers for heavy equipment, operating from Namakkal. There are different associations for trailers and LPG trucks here. We face a lot of challenges on a daily basis which we try to solve amicably without disturbing the normal functioning of the industry.”
Socially responsible
After the expansion of the district, the Association has been operating IOC petrol bunks and oil booths through which it sells quality grease, filters, distilled water, etc., at subsidised rates. Every organisation needs to be socially responsible to sustain in its respective field. As a CSR initiative, NTLOA arranges for higher studies and suitable employment for the driver’s children who have completed basic school education. Major vehicle OEMs like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra & Mahindra, along with finance companies like Shriram Finance, have been largely contributing towards this noble cause.
New initiatives
Since there is a huge dearth of skilled drivers in the truck industry, the Union Government has started driver training institutes at different centres in the country. The drivers are trained in traffic rules and regulations, loading and unloading of trucks and many more skills in these institutes.
“We are planning to start a driver training institute in Namakkal with the help of government departments. Initially, selected driver trainees will be sent to the Jharkhand driver training institute for undergoing training. We will later provide them with suitable employment. The National Skill Development Council (NSDC), with the help of local NGOs, will be co-ordinating in this effort of developing skilled drivers for trucks”, adds Mr. Nallathambi.