Road Transport is considered to be one of the most cost effective and preferred mode of transport, both for freight and passengers, keeping in view its level of. penetration into populated areas. Thus, it is vital for economic development and social integration of the country. Road Transport has emerged as the dominant segment in India’s transportation sector with a share of 4.5% in India’s GDP in 2005-06. The Road Transport Sector accounts for about 87% of passenger traffic and 60% of freight traffic movement in the country. Easy availability, adaptability to individual needs and the cost savings are some of the factors which go in favour of road transport. Road transport also acts as a feeder service to railway,shipping and air traffic.
Road Transport Wing of the Ministry is concerned with the formulation of broad policies relating to regulation of road transport in the country, besides making arrangements for movement of vehicular traffic with the neighbouring countries. Improving the road safety scenario in the country is one of the most important and challenging activities of the Road Transport Wing.
This Ministry formulates policies for road safety so as to minimise road accidents. The important schemes formulated and managed by the Road Safety Division / Section include publicity programmes, National Highways Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS), refresher training to heavy vehicle drivers in unorganized sector, providing road safety equipments to States/UTs etc. The Ministry formed five separate working groups on four E’s of Road Safety viz. (i) Education (ii) Enforcement (iii) Engineering (roads as well as vehicles) and (iv) Emergency care to deliberate in detail and submit their recommendations on short-term and long term measures for immediate implementation so as to curb road accidents in the country.
Acts / Rules being administered in RT Wing
The following Acts/Rules, which embody the policy relating to motor vehicles and State Road Transport Corporations (SRTCs), are being administered by the Road Transport Wing of the Ministry:-
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
- Road Transport Corporations Act, 1950
- Carriage by Road Act, 2007 (enacted to repeal Carriers Act, 1865) effective from 01.3.2011
- Carriage by Road Rules, 2011 notified on 28.02.2011 and effective from 01.03.2011