Truck driver shortage disrupts logistics industry
WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS

Truck driver shortage disrupts logistics industry

The Indian logistics industry is experiencing a significant shortage of long-haul truck drivers. Many drivers are leaving the profession, and numerous young people are not interested in becoming truck drivers.

Fleet operators and industry associations have reported that the truck-to-driver ratio has dropped to an alarmingly low level of about 55:100, compared to 75:100 a few years ago.

Several factors contribute to the high attrition rate and deter many from the younger generation from joining the profession. These factors include low pay scales, harassment by highway authorities and police, adverse weather conditions, accident risks, lack of work benefits, and insufficient hygienic restrooms and night parking facilities.

In addition, a lack of respect for the profession, long periods away from home, and less demanding job options like cab driving are also reasons many drivers, primarily from Tier 2 and 3 cities, do not want to drive heavy trucks.

Balasubramanian A, vice president of TeamLease Services, stated that there are about 6 million trucks actively being used on Indian roads, but the number of drivers is approximately 3.6 million. He noted that the truck-to-driver ratio is currently 1:0.6, whereas it was around 1:1.3 in the 80s and 90s. He added that at least 2 million trucks are not being actively used due to the driver shortage.

Balasubramanian explained that truck drivers spend nearly 20-25 days away from home each month, work in poor conditions, and that more than 50% of them develop some medical condition. He mentioned that they do not receive good pay, with most truck drivers not wanting their children to enter the profession. The average salary for truck drivers is about Rs 20,000-25,000 per month, whereas city cab drivers, who have less strenuous jobs, earn between Rs 20,000-30,000.

Industry officials indicated that the crisis has worsened in the past 2-3 months due to the extreme summer, with many drivers falling ill or not reporting to duty. Abhishek Gupta, General Secretary of the All India Transporters Welfare Association, stated that the driver shortage has been a particular concern this year due to the extreme weather conditions. He added that most regions report drivers returning to their villages for weddings or voting, causing many vehicles to be idle. Gupta noted that the shortage is more acute in the medium and heavy truck segments.

The Indian logistics industry is experiencing a significant shortage of long-haul truck drivers. Many drivers are leaving the profession, and numerous young people are not interested in becoming truck drivers. Fleet operators and industry associations have reported that the truck-to-driver ratio has dropped to an alarmingly low level of about 55:100, compared to 75:100 a few years ago. Several factors contribute to the high attrition rate and deter many from the younger generation from joining the profession. These factors include low pay scales, harassment by highway authorities and police, adverse weather conditions, accident risks, lack of work benefits, and insufficient hygienic restrooms and night parking facilities. In addition, a lack of respect for the profession, long periods away from home, and less demanding job options like cab driving are also reasons many drivers, primarily from Tier 2 and 3 cities, do not want to drive heavy trucks. Balasubramanian A, vice president of TeamLease Services, stated that there are about 6 million trucks actively being used on Indian roads, but the number of drivers is approximately 3.6 million. He noted that the truck-to-driver ratio is currently 1:0.6, whereas it was around 1:1.3 in the 80s and 90s. He added that at least 2 million trucks are not being actively used due to the driver shortage. Balasubramanian explained that truck drivers spend nearly 20-25 days away from home each month, work in poor conditions, and that more than 50% of them develop some medical condition. He mentioned that they do not receive good pay, with most truck drivers not wanting their children to enter the profession. The average salary for truck drivers is about Rs 20,000-25,000 per month, whereas city cab drivers, who have less strenuous jobs, earn between Rs 20,000-30,000. Industry officials indicated that the crisis has worsened in the past 2-3 months due to the extreme summer, with many drivers falling ill or not reporting to duty. Abhishek Gupta, General Secretary of the All India Transporters Welfare Association, stated that the driver shortage has been a particular concern this year due to the extreme weather conditions. He added that most regions report drivers returning to their villages for weddings or voting, causing many vehicles to be idle. Gupta noted that the shortage is more acute in the medium and heavy truck segments.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Samridh, CEID Launch High-Capacity Biogas Plant in Moradabad

Samridh Bioenergy has broken ground on a 12 TPD compressed biogas (CBG) plant in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, under the MNRE’s National Bioenergy Programme. Spread across 12 acres, the plant will process 270 tonne of organic waste daily and generate 30,000 cubic metre of biogas per day.CEID Consultants and Engineering Pvt Ltd has been appointed as the EPC contractor, responsible for the complete design, procurement, and construction of the plant. Equipped with four multi-feed digesters, the facility will accept a mix of press mud, cow dung, chicken litter, and vegetable waste, supporting contin..

Next Story
Real Estate

Delhi Micro-Markets Drive Up Housing Prices: Grihum Study

A new study by Grihum Housing Finance reveals that the rise of micro-markets across Delhi-NCR is fuelling real estate price appreciation, especially in the affordable housing segment. Key drivers include renewed post-pandemic interest, migration trends, and government schemes like PMAY.According to the study, over the past two decades, floor rates have risen 267 per cent, from Rs 1,500 per sq ft in 2005 to Rs 5,500 in 2024. In the same period, land rates surged 492 per cent, from Rs 1,300 to Rs 7,700 per sq ft. The sharp increase highlights strong capital appreciation in Delhi’s emerging loc..

Next Story
Resources

Covestro Develops PCR Polycarbonates from End-of-Life Headlamps

Materials manufacturer Covestro has launched post-consumer recycled (PCR) polycarbonates made from end-of-life automotive headlamps, in a move aimed at strengthening circularity in the auto industry. These TÜV Rheinland-certified grades, containing 50 per cent recycled content, are now commercially available for new automotive applications.Developed under a joint programme led by GIZ, with Volkswagen and NIO as key partners, the recycled material is currently being validated for use in future vehicle models.""This new line of polycarbonate represents a significant step in supporting the autom..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?