A month in the India Transport Sector

September, 2012

FOCUS: TRAFFIC ISSUE

SIGNS AND MARKINGS USED ON THE ROAD ARE THEY CLEAR ENOUGH? An integral part of the road system is traffic signs and road markings which help and assist drivers to reach their destination safely. More information on ITP NO DEMARCATION ON SERVICE ROADS LEADING TO MAXIMUM CONGESTION Service roads are typically referred to as local roads that are meant to serve as arteries to the main road along which they are constructed. Generally, built across the highway or expressway, their main aim is to keep the local traffic segregated from highway traffic. More information on ITP MANUAL CHANGING OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THEY? To maintain smooth and efficient traffic management systems, the role as well as the importance of traffic signals is unquestionable. Many traffic signals in this country are manually operated. More information on ITP SPEED LIMIT Every State has a basic speed law requiring drivers to operate their vehicles at a speed that is rational and sensible under existing conditions. More information on ITP BAN ON RUBBISH TRUCKS DURING DAYTIME Unlike other heavy vehicles that are rarely seen on residential roads even at night, rubbish trucks can be seen ploughing through the neighbourhood during the day. More information on ITP

EDITORIAL
It seems that the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway issue is about to be settled. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the operator of the e-way, Delhi-Gurgaon Super Connectivity Limited (DGSCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the Delhi High Court. Beyond the legal battles that poisoned this thorny issue, some should expect major changes on this stretch towards, finally, improved traffic and safer driving conditions. One of the major moves would be the implementation of touchcard technology by DGSCL. The price of the card would be fixed by the NHAI. It is said that local residents should be given the electronic tag for free. Sources said that at least 65% of the traffic should be on electronic mode in order to ease traffic jams across toll plazas. Actually, only 30 % are on electronic mode and this low rate of collection leads to massive congestion. A discount policy should also be discussed to lower the minimum trips required. It is also planned to add 11 lanes to the already 32 lanes existing. It is too early to forecast genuine consequences from this decongestion plan but the first steps seem interesting because it is on the same pattern as the smart card of the Delhi Metro. Success or failure of such toll management will be interesting to follow. What seems to be certain is the end of the toll free ride! Something worrying remains: such traffic issues are settled in Court, as shown in Nagpur, where the Dongargaon toll plaza was moved to Borkhedi. Tolls, as any other traffic issues, should rely on economics and commonsense rather than lawsuits. Lets hope for the infrastructural development that this kind of settlement does not become a trend.

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A month in the India Transport Sector

September, 2012

CAR MARKET
SELF DRIVEN CAR RENTALS INDIA A new trend is catching on in India that of hiring self-driven cars for tourism purposes mainly. The trend, quite contrary to the otherwise popular trend of hiring chauffeur-driven cars, is fast taking over. This trend of hiring self driven cars has been made equally popular by domestic tourists and international tourist. More information on ITP LUXURY CAR SALES HIT A LOW As one of the fastest growing automobile markets in the world with a huge potential, India has been attracting auto companies from all over the world to claim their share of this booming market. Today most of the biggest names in the auto world have a presence in the country, catering for the rising middle class consumer. For the first time in three years however, the auto market has encountered problems which have exposed its volatility. More informations on ITP TATA NANO THE NEW YOUTH CAR A few years back Tata came up with the concept of the most affordable car for the millions of people in his country. For the first two to three years since Nano hit the markets, the car did not register the sales expected and were selling below the production capacity. A re-think on the part of the car brand led them to try and undo the general perception of Nano as a poor mans car.Now the company is marketing the vehicle as a car for the youth, in an effort to woo the urbanites. More informations on ITP TATA ELECTRIC CAR Electric cars are considered to be the future of automobiles as they can provide a cheap, emission free alternative to fuel run vehicles. Indian automobile giant Tata Motors is also following the same path. Not only is auto major coming up with electric models of Indica, Ace etc. it has also announced the launch of a new electric vehicle that will be priced under $20,000. This news on Tatas electric car is already making waves in the global auto market. More informations on ITP

TYRE INDUSTRY & PRODUCTS

THE TYRE CARTEL In India eight tyre companies concluded The General Code of Conduct for Members in 1967, the countrys first brush with a tyre cartel. The MRTP Act which was passed to deal with cartels in 1969 could not do much to prevent the tyre industry from using its collective powers to enjoy more benefits than they were entitled to. More information in ITP TAIWAN TYRE MAKER TO INVEST IN INDIA Cheng-Shin Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd is a Taiwanese tyre company and the tenth largest in the world. With headquarters in Taiwan, the reputed tyre company has global operations in China, the USA, Canada, Thailand and Vietnam. It enjoys a strong presence in a wide range of market segments producing tyres and tubes for bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, agricultural and garden equipments of high international standards. More information in ITP AIR PRESSURE IN TYRES Car tyres have a significant bearing on the safety and performance of a car and tyre pressure is an important factor that affects the functioning of the tyre. More information in ITP

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A month in the India Transport Sector RAILWAYS / METRO

RAILWAYS FACE SEVERE CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS Indian Railways boasts of being one of the largest railway networks in the world and over the years has emerged as the countrys largest employer. It has played a significant role in integrating the people, market and economy and is thus a vital component in Indias socio-economic and political dynamics. Unfortunately, despite its tremendous potential, Indian Railways is an underperforming institution suffering from severe capacity constraints. Capacity of transport has two basic parameters: whether it is capable of carrying the required levels of traffic and whether there is a free flow of traffic not amounting to any delays. More information on ITP RAILWAYS FREIGHT SHARE If Indian Railways is a vital component in Indias socio-economic and political dynamics, freight services is its backbone and mainstay. It is the profit making and primary revenue generating segment of Indian Railways. Freight accounts for almost two thirds of Indian Railways revenue. However, over the last few years, railways market share has seen a significant decline. In the years after independence 89% of Indias freight went by rail. Today it has dropped to an alarming 36%, compared to 50% in the United States and China. Indian Railways lost its market share in high rated freight commodities, particularly cement, petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL), iron and steel. The overcharged railways freight services spelt disaster for the railways sector. More information on ITP SUBWAYS IN ALL CITIES The success of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation or DMRC that developed the subway system in and around Delhi has prompted more cities in India to consider the feasibility of a mass rapid transport system. The Delhi Metro is a grand success, unlike the Kolkata Metro that took nearly 23 years to be constructed. The people living in Delhi, who put up with traffic jams due to the construction of the 138 kilometers subway lines, are now enjoying the benefits. People are able to travel long distances in a cheap, fast and comfortable manner. More information on ITP

September, 2012

FUEL ISSUES
PETROL CAR FACTORIES GO ON A BREAK Repeated increases and steep petrol prices have created a dent in the booming image of the Indian automobile industry. Fuel price hikes have slowed down the demand for automobiles, especially for petrol cars. More information on ITP SHOULD ONE INVEST IN A DIESEL CAR ONLY TO SAVE MONEY ON FUEL? Sky rocketing petrol prices have not deterred the rising Indian middle class from investing in four wheelers as there is an easy alternative in the form of diesel cars. Diesel run cars are no longer aberrations on Indian roads; in fact, if estimates projected by Crisil are to be believed, diesel cars will occupy around 45% of the Indian car market share by 2015 -16. More information on ITP EMISSION TESTS FOR DIESEL AND PETROL VEHICLES- HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THEY? The level of pollution is severely affecting the environment. To stop this growing issue, provisions for carrying out emission tests on diesel and petrol vehicles have been made. In fact, according to the law, it is mandatory for all vehicles four wheelers and two wheelers to carry a Pollution Under Control or PUC certificate. More information on ITP

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Copyright India Transport Portal. Edited by Digital Bizzline Ltd. All rights reserved

A month in the India Transport Sector

September, 2012

INFRASTRUCTURE
ROAD CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT With the worlds second largest road network under its kitty, road development plans in India definitely seem to be on the priority list of the government. Road construction is, indeed, viewed as the key infrastructural tool that will eventually pave the way for the countrys economic development. More information on ITP ENSURING ROAD SAFETY WHILST BUILDING NEW ROADS Traffic accidents at road construction sites are a common and regular feature. Despite efforts, road construction sites continue to remain a menace for road users, often causing untold miseries to the public. It is thus crucial that vital road safety measures be identified and implemented during construction works, to ensure the safety of motorists, pedestrians and construction workers. More information on ITP UNDERPASSES FAIL TO ATTRACT PEDESTRIANS With the flow of vehicle traffic on the rise, the life of pedestrians has been rendered difficult in crowded metropolitan cities. Pedestrian overpasses and underpasses offer the safest means of crossing busy roads by ensuring an uninterrupted flow of pedestrian traffic. Areas with a high concentration of commercial establishments and pedestrian flow are best suited for the construction of underpasses at regular intervals. More information on ITP HIGHWAY TOLL HIKE The Indian population, who is already battling with steep fuel price hikes, will now witness a sharp rise in the transportation cost as well. Commuting across the highways of India is all set to become a costly affair as the National Highways Authority of India or NHAI announced a Highway toll hike. NHAIs memo of 13013/630/CO/1112 /GC of March 2012 signalled the hike decision which will be applicable to all toll taxes. According to the agency, the toll hike was needed to meet the rising cost of road construction and maintenance. More information on ITP

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ABOUT US
Indian Transport Portal is an online news center covering the most critical industrial issues related to transport markets in India. India Transport Portal is edited by Digital Bizzline Ltd. a UK based press agency recently launched by a group of freelance journalists. Digital Bizzline Ltd. is registered at the Companies House UK: 07301455 contact@indiatransportportal.com

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