Notification Update

Haryana is returning all the applications of Hydraulic Modular Trailer (about 50 cases) back.


The Principal Secretary Transport has objected to the design approved by a 125year Maharashtra Motor Vehicles approved institute VJTI. The honorable Principal Secretary objected to the integrity of the institute and has recommended ARAI for design approval. ARAI as i have stated in my earlier blog that ARAI along with other agencies mentioned in CMVR rule 126 deals with prototype testing of Motor Vehicles other than trailers.


They tell this to us after keeping the applications for fermentation for more than two months!!


Update: 24th May 2011: Applications in Haryana has started moving.

Notification Update

The babus are at it again….

The movement of Applications from the Transport Department Haryana Govt. to the MORTH, Central Govt. has been stalled. The reason… they have suddenly realized that as per CMVR every trailer has to be prototype tested by designated testing agencies.

It frustrates me when such learned people raise such reckless objections.
RULE  126 of CMVR : Prototype of every motor vehicle to be subject to test- “on and from the date of commencement of Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 1993, every manufacturer or importer of motor vehicles other than trailers and semi-trailers shall submit the prototype of the vehicle to be manufactured or imported by him for test by the…..”

Clearly it’s mentioned that trailers are not subject to prototype testing!

This is nothing new, every time there is a organizational shakeup, newly appointed heads have no clue about such special cases. They do not realize that such delays cost not only the transporter but also the nation heavily.

But, slowly and painfully things are moving forward. People are now getting to at least identify the Hydraulic Modular Trailers.

What pains me more is the trailer industry is highly neglected in India. It is perceived in India that an uneducated skilled mechanic can manufacture a “TROLLA” (Slang for trailer in Hindi). Trailers even don’t feature in Market research data of widely followed databases such as SIAM data among others. What would anybody do with a Tractor / Puller without a trailer?  May be this sector is largely unorganized.

Trailer Registration Part-2

Hydraulic Axles are more widely used in Modular Trailers. More popularly known as “Hydraulic Modular Trailers” or “Hydraulic Axles”, in India.

Though hydraulically suspended axles can be used in any kind of trailer, modular trailers are built upon this suspension phenomenon.

Modular trailers are basically modules of Trailer Chassis which can be joined longitudinally (Back-to-Back) or laterally(Side ways). Theoretically there is no limit to the vastness of the combination, provided the supporting machineries are available. This amazing portability means that any form of cargo can be transported on this trailer.

Here also lies the legal problem. Our law didn’t foresee that commercial vehicles can be joined together to aid movements of cargo. Or for that matter, any cargo can go beyond 35tons!

Under the rules the Central government of India can only make exceptions to the rules it has made. Phewh!

The registration process of these kinds of vehicles which exceed the legal 2.6Mtr width mark or per axle GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight = Payload+TrailerWeight) limit is long.

The movement of the application of the customer is something like given below.

Customer -> State -> Center -> Gazette Notification -> Customer -> State -> RTO -> Registration  

Few states I know of who entertain such applications are Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

The applications have to be accompanied by a technical test report of design from an institute recognized by the State.

This whole process takes about 4 months. If you would like to know more about registration of hydraulic modular trailers, drop me an email heavytransportindia@gmail.com