Mumbai, April 10 The Maharashtra government has exempted heavy goods vehicles equipped with a "Driver Assist System" (DAS) from the mandatory requirement of having an attendant or cleaner on board, officials said on Friday.
For this, the government has amended Rule 249 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The amendment was notified by the state Home Department on April 8 through a gazette publication.
According to the officials, the move is aimed at leveraging technology to enhance road safety and operational efficiency while reducing dependence on manual assistance in certain categories of heavy vehicles.
It was a long-standing demand of truckers to do away with the need for an attendant, citing a shortage of manpower and financial burden. It was one of the main demands put forward by transporter unions during their recent strikes.
As per the notification signed by Deputy Secretary (Home Department) Chetan Nikam, it will not be necessary to have an attendant in heavy goods vehicles, except in articulated semi-trailers and hydraulic trailers used for carrying over-dimensional consignments, if such vehicles are fitted with the prescribed system.
The notification defines the "Driver Assist System" as a 360-degree vision camera setup covering the entire surrounding area of the vehicle, including blind spots and the rear portion, and providing a live feed to the driver.
The system must also include proximity alarm features offering both audible and visual alerts to the driver, along with external warning sounds to alert other road users, particularly when the vehicle is reversing.
Transporters have welcomed the amendment, saying it will reduce their financial burden and help address the shortage of manpower.