Page 8 - TT June issue pdf for digital
P. 8
UPDATE
Asset Monetisation Dog-nose trucks set to return?
Strategy from NHAI he Centre is working on new
he recently released Asset regulations that may soon
Monetisation Strategy Tbring back the “dog nose”
TDocument for the road sector design for trucks and heavy
released by the National Highways vehicles — a structural change
Authority of India is expected to that could improve road safety
strengthen the quality, longevity, and logistics efficiency. The “dog
and technological advancement nose” refers to a truck design
of India’s road network. The in which the engine and hood
opening up the assets to private protrude in front of the driver’s
investment will accelerate cabin — a common sight until
infrastructure development while the late 1990s. This seemingly
ensuring financial sustainability. small change could be crucial to
The strategy is based on principles improving visibility and reaction
like maximising the value of time on highways.
government-owned road assets, The alteration gives drivers
ensuring transparent and investor- that extra bit of space and provided by the nose would
friendly processes and facilitating time to see ahead and respond give better reaction time for the
the development of the market by better, according to road safety drivers, but flat-fronted trucks
broadening the investor base and experts. Automobile safety offer better visibility, which
encouraging active stakeholder experts say both flat-fronted and might be more advantageous
engagement. dog-nosed configurations have in non-high-speed conditions,
their own advantages. In high- and particularly keeping in mind
speed scenarios, the extra space pedestrian safety.
Bus that runs in air?
s traditional measures were
no longer sufficient to tackle
Aurban transport challenges,
Union Road Transport and SPV to operate 500 EVs
Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari Special Purpose Vehicle estimated project budget would
(SPV) of the three
has proposed a double-decker A cover the cost of purchasing
bus system that would operate authorities, Noida, Greater e-buses, fast chargers (240 kW),
above ground level ferrying 120- Noida and Yamuna Expressway plant and equipment, tools and
150 passengers, as an innovative development authorities will depot maintenance.
transport solution to address be formed to operate a fleet Under this plan, 300 buses
the growing problem of traffic of 500 electric buses, with
congestion in Uttarakhand’s Noida leading the initiative. A will be deployed in Noida (150
Dehradun. Beyond traffic consultant will be appointed to 12m ones and 150 9m ones),
management, the broader role of define the SPV’s structure and and 100 each will be deployed
technology and sustainability in recommend board members. in Greater Noida and YEIDA.
India’s development, particularly While the Directorate of Urban Buses will ply at 10–15-minute
the production of green hydrogen Transport (DUT) will procure intervals during peak hours and
fuel was underlined as also the the buses and hire an agency to 15–20 minutes during off-peak
importance of transitioning operate them under the gross times. The SPV will manage the
towards cleaner transport options, cost contract (GCC) model, fare system, while the operators
including electric and mechanised the viability gap funding will will be paid on a per-kilometre
vehicles. come from the authorities. The basis.
8 TRAFFICINFRATECH / June 2025 / www.trafficinfratech.com
