Drivers’ shortage affects transport sector in state

Amaravati: There is a severe crisis in transport sector due to the shortage of drivers. The MLAs of ruling Telugu Desam brought this issue to the notice of state government during the question hour in the AP Assembly session on Thursday.

According to the MLAs, nearly 10 lakh drivers were required for the needs of commercial vehicles of Andhra Pradesh. But only 6 lakh drivers were available in the state and as a result, the operators were unable to ply the vehicles.

In fact, there is 10 per cent growth in commercial vehicle requirement but the drivers’ shortage has become a big challenge to transport sector. However, to overcome the crisis, the government has plans to open four new driving training and research centres including one at Darsi of Prakasam district, said transport minister K Atchannaidu.

The government will provide training in driving at the RTC training centres also, he added. MLA D Narendra Kumar said that the drivers were opting for alternative job opportunities as the profession was not viable in all aspects. He said that lack of sufficient basic infrastructure, poor rest facilities, pressure and health problems were reasons for the increasing shortage of drivers.

As the drivers profession is in the unorganised sector, he said the government should provide some assurance and new facilities and added the entire transport sector would face big trouble in near future. MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary said the salaries of truck drivers were very meagre and the nature of job was very tough and appealed to government to provide various benefits and accident insurance to them.

Responding to members queries, the minister said the government has directed the NHAI to establish rest houses with all facilities including theatres and malls in two acres site near all toll plazas on the highways. He also said training in driving would be provided at all the RTC driving training centres to youth.