Implementation of the Carriage by Road Act is yet to pick up on ground. The Act, which has come into effect from September 1, is stuck in a cross fire between the Centre and the State, says road transport research body, Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT).
“Most of the State Government’s regional transport offices (RTOs) are not even aware of the Act. They say they are yet to get any such information from the Centre,” Mr S.P. Singh, Senior Fellow, IFTRT, said.
He added that the Delhi State Government did issue public notices in early October asking all common carriers to register, but the RTOs are far from ready to implement it.
The Act aims to make the commercial road transport sector organised. It proposes to do so by mandating registration for all transporters at the State RTOs. It also specifies the rights and responsibilities consignee and the consignor in the road transport sector.
According to the Act, the common carrier – be it goods booking companies, logistics players and packers and movers – has to maintain quarterly record of its transactions and file annual return of it transactions.
If the Act were to be fully implemented, then it would be difficult for non-serious players to function as transporters.
The notification implementing the carriage by road rules 2011 was issued on February 28, and the process was to be completed by end of Aug. The last date for completing the registration by the existing common carriers lapsed on August 31.