Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari Approves Draft Notification Mandating AC Installation In Truck Cabins

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari approved the draft notification that mandates the installation of air-conditioning systems in the cabins of trucks classified under categories N2 and N3.

The decision aims to enhance road safety by providing comfortable working conditions for truck drivers, improving their efficiency, and addressing issues related to driver fatigue.

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Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced he has approved the draft notification to mandate the installation of air-conditioning systems in the cabins of trucks belonging to categories N2 and N3. The decision aims to enhance road safety by providing comfortable working conditions for truck drivers, improving their efficiency, and addressing issues related to driver fatigue, he said. 

In a Tweet, Gadkari informed, "Approved the draft notification to mandate the installation of air-conditioning systems in the cabins of trucks belonging to categories N2 and N3. Truck drivers play a crucial role in ensuring road safety. This decision marks a significant milestone in providing comfortable working conditions for truck drivers, thereby improving their efficiency and addressing the problem of driver fatigue."

Approved the draft notification to mandate the installation of air-conditioning systems in the cabins of trucks belonging to categories N2 and N3.

Truck drivers play a crucial role in ensuring road safety. This decision marks a significant milestone in providing comfortable…

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) July 6, 2023

Last month at an event, Gadkari announced that starting 2025, all trucks will be required to have air-conditioned driver compartments. Gadkari had expressed his desire to introduce air conditioners in truck cabins since he assumed the ministerial position.

However, he acknowledged that his vision was not realised due to concerns raised by people regarding the increased costs associated with implementing this requirement.

"But before coming to this event today, I have signed the file that mandates air conditioning in truck driver compartments. We must ensure that people who drive the trucks are well taken of," Gadkari had said, as per Business Today. 

On the other hand, according to a report by Bussinesline, commercial vehicle prices could go up between 1 per cent and 2 per cent with the installation of Air-Conditioned (AC) inside driver cabins of trucks. Citing industry leaders the report said that the productivity of the drivers would increase with the installation but the cost would also increase with the mandate.