Transport ministry proposes secured cover for moving dumpers, tippers

NEW DELHI: Road transport ministry has proposed to mandate all dumpers and tippers to have a system to cover and fully enclose the load body while plying on roads. The change in norm under Central Motor Vehicle Rules, which is proposed to come to effect from April next year, also requires such vehicles to have an audio-visual alert system in driver’s cabin to warn if the load body cover is open or unsecured when it’s running.The change in Rules will address the menace of loose items, such as soil, construction materials and municipal waste, often falling from uncovered or tarpaulin-covered trucks. TOI on January 24 had reported about the govt’s move.There have been several Supreme Court orders directing proper covering of trucks carrying loose and protruding loads, but there has been little compliance due to poor enforcement.The draft notification also proposes that devices such as rear-view mirrors, indirect vision systems, guard rails, direction indicator rub-rails (rubber beading up to 20 mm on each side), side footsteps, and the load body enclosure system for tippers and dumpers should not be included while calculating the overall height.