Transporters keep the wheel of Indian economy going. Every day, nearly 60 lakh trucks carrying all sorts of goods, including essential commodities, fruits, vegetables and inputs for manufacturers, criss cross the country. If they stop, the country comes to its knees. But are the transporters getting their due? We at the BusinessLine believe they need to and the ‘Transporters Meet’ that we have been organising in association with Indian Oil and YES Bank is precisely for that reason.

A platform that brings together all the stakeholders of the transport sector to discuss various issues they face and identify solutions that could eventually form part of the government policy.

Of late, the transporters are facing multiple challenges. Rising diesel prices, stagnant freight rates and shortage of drivers to name a few. There is a need to listen to them, gather their views and share some of the best practices with them.

The first in the series — Lead The Road — was held on June 1 at Namakkal, the hub of truck industry in South India, followed by the second in the port city of Kochi on July 6. Close to 200 representatives from the trucks industry, various industry associations and officials from IOC and YES Bank participated in both the events.

The third edition will be held in Vijayawada, another important transport hub in the country, on August 24.

Presentations apart, the event will see a panel discussion on the topic ‘The Road Ahead’, which will deal with not just the various issues the sector faces but also what needs to be done to keep the industry vibrant.

The speakers are: DV Ramana Rao, Chief General Manger (Retail Sales), Telangana & AP State Office, Indian Oil Corporation; Jojy Daniel, Regional Business Leader, Commercial Vehicle Loans, YES Bank; Gopala Naidu, President, Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association, and VS Ananda Kumar, General Manager, VRL Logistics, Vijayawada.

comment COMMENT NOW