Since my blog is not about standard commercial vehicles I am continuing about Over Dimensional Cargo (ODC) and Over Weight Cargo (OWC) transport in India.

ODC/OWC generally consists of Bridge sections (Pre-cast beams), Transformers, heavy machineries, heavy construction equipments, Boilers, GAS turbines, Storage tanks, Heavy structure & the most important one is Windmill components (Blades, tower section & Motor Head). (source: Western Auto Race)

These structures are transported as a single indivisible cargo.
India has and requires a lot of ODC movement due to enormous growth in infrastructure development projects Majorly Power Sector, Road and Construction Sectors. Consignments in Power Sectors include Thermal, Hydroeclectric, Nuclear and Wind energy.

However the ODC transportation in India is still not regulated in terms of vehicles specifications, approval process and guidelines for road transportation.

ODC is characterized as any load which has

Length	>18 meters
Width	>2.6 meters
Height	>3.8 meters
Payload	>49 T

The term ODC is with reference to the present Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) of 2.6 meters width, 18 meter length & 3.8 meter height and the best possible loading methodology

Heavy Consignments are primarily transported over trailers. Trailers can be classified in number of ways but personally I feel a classification vis-à-vis suspension system is much easier. There are three types of suspensions which are used in trailers:

1. Mechanical Suspensions

 

2.       Pneumatic /Air Suspensions



3.       Hydraulic Suspension

The safest way to transport very heavy loads is over Hydraulic Suspensions.

Trailer Registration Part-1

In my last post I was a bit critical about the transport governing machinery. After I posted my last post I felt a little bad about being bit harsh. As it’s always is the case, there is light at the end of the tunnel. We do have competent officials but frequent transfers result in some unfit replacements.

As per rules all trailer models (upto three axles) designs should be approved technically from the state govt. by the manufacturer before manufacturing. Which then implies that everytime such trailer is registered (CMVR u/s 47 Sub-section 1(C));

RTA has to be presented with the trailer or semi-trailer design duly approved by the STA. But, somehow this rule is overlooked overwhelmingly and as result this happens….

source: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/aug/060809-27-6-metre-trailer-truck-RTO-Rajasthan-Govandi-Mankhurd.htm

At times the trucks are dangerously modified to accommodate extra loads.

Again our Laws and Rules have provisions for transport by vehicles other than specified in CMVR or MVA but that route is long and painful. Central Govt. has the power to exempt through Gazette Notification under MVA Section 110 Sub Section 3(a) only if the State Govt. recommends the case to the Center. This process generally takes 3-4months! So if you have a critical consignment waiting to be delivered urgently you are helpless but to find other (illegal) shortcuts if you can risk it or outsource.

Intro

India is a great country with biggest hearts and the brightest minds. A Economic and Cultural powerhouse.

We are a country of Tigers ruled by packs of Wolves.

Our leaders and administrative heads do not hesitate in terming our industrial development and Transport facilities at par with the Chinese or even in some cases with Europe and US.

In reality these so called knowledgeable people having foresights as far as the width of their office desks and have no idea about the vastness of commercial road transport. The people monitoring and controlling the registration and movement of vehicles in India have no clue about technological advances in automobile sector. To my surprise even the top bosses in these offices have no idea about the provisions made in CMVR or Motor Vehicle Act.

We can’t just blame these fellows. Most of the transporters in India are illiterate or school dropouts but come from toiling backgrounds. These buggers are purely motivated by money and an attitude which can only be rivaled by the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Think if the owners have this attitude then you can very well imagine what the Fidayeen drivers ruling our Highways can do.

You will ask if so grim is the situation then how the things are moving around. Money…. Cash, kind, Under-the-table, Inside-the-car, on-the-tollgate, in-the-house and ultimately inside the babu’s crisp safari pocket.

It’s not that we do not have rules. We have rules and provisions but nobody seems to believe the same. The ultimate superseding rule is CASH. Yes, you will have to pay much more if you make your own rules than if you adhere to the Law of the land.

Transporters cannot do much as oversized consignments are often meant for turnkey projects of national importance and are valued at several crores. A delay in delivery means heavy financial losses.

In my next post i will share some facts about registration of Heavy Transport Trailers.



A Marwari gentleman told me once “Laksmi kaali hoti hai na gori…Laksmi to Laksmi hoti hai” (Money Goddess is neither black nor white).

(photo courtesy http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/2010/10/-india-is-one-country.html)