RENAULT NISSAN-1: Hello, Mr Colin Macdonald....

27 April 2018

Mr Colin Macdonald

Managing Director

Renault Nissan India P Ltd

Tamilnadu

Sub: Utilization of barred 22 metre car carriers in India – Violation of CMVR norms

Dear Mr Macdoland,

Greetings.  Am Ramesh Kumar, a supply chain & logistics focused journalist and also the Editor of DRIVERS DUNIYA, India’s FIRST and ONLY English quarterly magazine focused on long haul truck drivers in India since 2015.

I closely follow Indian transport industry developments – from policy watch to grassroot developments at highways, dhabas, factory gates etc.  That’s how I came to know of the alleged violation of CMVR norms by your company.

As you are fully aware, Government of India two years ago amended the CMVR norms to regularize vehicle dimensions particularly in the car carriers segment. For ages, fleet owners in this segment were using 22 metre tractor trailers and penalized heavily by various state governments. Ultimately, following a thorough study instituted by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways of Govt of India, the relevant sections in the CMVR norms were amended making 18.75 metre as legal.

As of today, all fleet owners in car carrier segment are using only 18.75 metre without any exception. Hence it came as a surprise to know that Renault Nissan India Private Limited is still using 22 metre multiaxle car carriers to move its export cargo from its Chennai plant to Ennore Ro-Ro port. It is learnt that this illegal dimensioned vehicles, owned and or hired by MOL on your behalf moves stealthily at night to evade detection. When caught by transport officials, illegal gratification is resorted to, to complete the task, it is alleged.

Attaching one of the 22 metre trucks utilized by Renault Nissan India found in your Chennai premises recently waiting for load.

Mr Macdonald, it is crystal clear that the usage of 22 metre car carriers is illegal. Hence request you to intervene and stop this illegal practice.

Perhaps you are aware the government was compelled to change the dimension from the road safety perspective.

As a responsible corporate citizen of India, DRIVERS DUNIYA hopes you will intervene to do the needful.

A copy of this mail is addressed to the Home Secretary & Transport Commissioner in Tamil Nadu for necessary action to investigate this allegations and initiate suitable action, if found guilty.

Similarly a copy is being sent to Mr Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India to keep him abreast of the developments in his chosen arena.

A copy is being sent to the embassies of France and Japan to keep them equally aware of such practices by companies originating from their respective homeland and doing business in India.

Warm regards,

Ramesh Kumar

Copy to:

Dr Niranjan Mardi IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt of Tamilnadu

Mr Samayamoorthy IAS, Transport Commissioner, Govt of Tamilnadu

Mr Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Govt of India

The Ambassador, Embassy of France, New Delhi

The Ambassador, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi