Government increases maximum load capacity for trucks
New Delhi, July 17: The government has decided to increase the maximum load carrying capacity of all new heavy vehicles by 20-25 per cent, Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.
He said this would bring down the logistic cost in the country by 2 per cent and will help in increasing the "ease of doing business".
"Logistic cost in India is 16 to 18 per cent of the GDP whereas it is 8 to 10 per cent in developed countries. This decision will reduce transport cost by 2 per cent and will revolutionise the transport sector," Gadkari told reporters here.
He added that norms for axle load were last notified in 1983 and there has been no change over the last 35 years despite vast improvements in technology.
"Also, there was need to harmonize axle load with international standards. And we have taken this decision in line with international standards and best global practices," Gadkari said.
"The decision will increase capacity of transport vehicles by 20 to 25 per cent and will result in saving time and fuel cost," he said.
The Minister added the decision will also go a long way in checking over-loading of vehicles.
"After this, we will focus on strong enforcement to check over-loading. We are also sending circulars to state governments to enforce this," he added.
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Statewide ban on IV Ringer Lactate usage: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru: In response to the deaths of postnatal women at Ballari District Hospital, the Karnataka government has temporarily suspended the use of IV Ringer Lactate solution across the state as a precautionary measure, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced on Saturday.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, the minister explained that doubts about the quality of the IV solution had arisen, prompting the decision. He clarified that Ringer Lactate, along with glucose solutions, has been routinely used in hospitals for years. However, out of the 192 batches supplied by the Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society, concerns were raised regarding two specific batches.
"In light of these concerns, we stopped the use of all 192 batches as a precaution. Following this, the supplying company obtained a High Court order for testing, and the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) conducted an analysis. The CDL report confirmed the usability of the solution, allowing the state to form a technical committee to review and permit the use of certain batches that met quality standards. Despite this, doubts have surfaced specifically at Ballari District Hospital," the minister stated.
To address these concerns, the batches supplied to Ballari Hospital have been sent for anaerobic testing to determine whether the IV solution contributed to the deaths. The test results are expected within a week, after which a final decision on the use of IV Ringer Lactate will be made.
"Until then, we have issued directives to hospitals statewide to suspend the use of IV Ringer Lactate. Every life is important to us, and precautionary measures are essential when suspicions arise," Gundu Rao emphasised.
