Role of Various Vehicle Agencies ( VRDE,IRDA,ARAI)

 

Role of Ministry Of Surface Transport And Highways

 

The year 2016 has been a significant one for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, when road safety emerged as the central theme of almost its entire range of activities. While the Ministry pushed ahead to expand the National Highways network in the country, it was not enough to just build highways! It was equally important to ensure that the highways were safe for the commuters. As a signatory to Brasilia Declaration, India is committed to reducing the number of road accidents and fatalities by 50 % by 2020. Although efforts in this direction had started earlier, the year 2016 saw the Ministry taking major steps towards fulfilling this commitment.

 

The major steps taken by the Ministry towards ensuring safety on roads are as follows:

 

·           A National Road Safety Policy had been approved earlier, outlining various policy measures like promoting awareness, establishing road safety information data base, encouraging safer road infrastructure, enforcement of safety laws etc. A National Road Safety Council had also been constituted as the apex body to take policy decisions in the matter of road safety.

 

·           Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016 - The Ministry constituted a Group of Ministers from across states to deliberate upon and propose strategies for reducing road fatalities and to suggest actionable measures for implementation. On the basis of recommendations of the GoM , MoRTH introduced the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016 in Parliament (Lok Sabha) on 9^th August, 2016. The Bill addresses road safety issues by providing for stiffer penalties, permitting electronic enforcement, improving fitness certification and licensing regime, statutory provisions for protection of good Samaritans and recognition of IT enabled enforcement systems.   The Bill also paves way for reforms in public transport which in turn will help in improving road safety.  The Bill contains provisions for treatment of accident victims during golden hour which will help in saving precious lives. The Bill has been referred to the Department- related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture for examination and report.

 

·            Top priority has been accorded to correction of black spots on National Highways and adopting regulatory measures for improving automobile safety.  Ministry has requested the States to send proposals for correction of black spots and 10% of the Central Road Fund (CRF) have been permitted to be used for undertaking road safety measures. Road safety has been made an integral part of road designing, safety audits are being taken up for selected stretches of National Highways. As Short-term measures rumble strips, reflective stickers at junctions, fixing signboard/ cautionary board, providing signage and speed restrictions are being used. As long-term measures construction of vehicular under-pass,  By-pass,  flyover and 4-laning are being taken up.

 

 

·            The Ministry has stressed upon States / UTs to set up State Road Safety Councils,  formulate an action plan for improving road safety, implement it in a concerted manner, fix a definite, time bound target for fatality reduction and identify and allocate adequate manpower, financial and other resources for implementing the strategy to achieve the targets set.

 

·         Highway Advisory System (HAS)

 

          HAS was launched as a pilot project on Delhi-Jaipur highway. It is a free-to-air information distribution system that uses radio to make the travelling experience on National Highways safer, faster and hassle-free. HAS control centre collects data, processes and analyzes it, generates alerts and sends it to be broadcast by All India Radio. The phase 1pilot on NH8 from Delhi to Jaipur (240 Km) to provide live traffic updates in 18 slots daily through All India Radio was successfully completed. The study on the impact of the pilot project has thrown up very positive results and there is tremendous demand for this service among road users. In Phase 2, the pilot is being expanded to 12 highway stretches in multiple languages across the country covering a total of around 2400 Kms of National Highways.

 

·                  The Ministry has launched a media campaign to promote road safety. NGOs have been sensitised to work on Road Safety.

 

·                    Vehicular Safety Standards are being set for all classes of vehicles.  Trucks are prohibited from carrying protruding rods; Anti-locking Brake System (ABS) made mandatory on Heavy Vehicles; Cars to have provision for fitment of at-least one child seat. Car Crash Standards to be made mandatory w.e.f. 1^st April, 2018;     ABS/CBS for Two Wheelers mandated w.e.f. 1^st April, 2018; AHO (Automatic Headlight On) made mandatory for Two Wheelers to make them more conspicuous; Bus Body Code for safer and comfortable buses; Truck Body Code for safe cabins to drivers and other road users; Mandatory Fitment of Speed Governors on Transport Vehicles to avoid over speeding.

 

Buses with IT enabled safety measures under NIRBHAYA SCHEME

As per notification issued by the Ministry all public service vehicles, (except two and three wheelers, e-rickshaws) have to be equipped with or fitted with vehicle location tracking device and one or more emergency buttons: The vehicle location tracking device and emergency button referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be fitted by the manufacturer or their dealer or the respective operator.

·         Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS) launched - IBMS is being developed to create an inventory of all bridges in the country and rate their structural condition so that timely repair and rehabilitation work can be carried out based on the criticality of the structure.

ROLE OF STATE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT

 

·         Administration of the Motor Vehicles Act,1988 and Rules framed there under .

·         Issuance and renewal of driving licenses/International Driving Permits

·         Registration of Vehicles and its related  activities.

·         Issuance of trade certificate to dealers of the vehicles.

·         Issue of permits to various categories of transport vehicles and issue of countersignatures in respect of other-state transport vehicles.

·         Road safety issues with special emphasis on safety of school buses.

·         Enforcement of emission and safety related norms of vehicles.

·         Management and operations of Inter -state Bus Terminals.

·         Integration of Road transport with Metro,Railways & Airports.

 

ROLE OF REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICES

 

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) is a government organisation established to oversee all transport-related operations in India. The primary objective of the department is to maintain a database for all vehicles operating in the country and issue licenses for drivers. In addition, the department also engages in various other duties like tax collection, pollution check, and enforcement of road transportation rules. If you are a vehicle owner, you may have to visit the RTO for various things like registration, new license application, license renewal, etc.

RTOs are located throughout the country, and they currently function under the rules put forth by the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988. These rules are applicable throughout the country and are enforced by the RTOs of the respective states. One of the major duties of an RTO is to improve vehicle security and reduce vehicle-related crime. RTOs also play a major role in enforcing strict rules in the case of accidents.

Functions of RTO

Vehicle traffic is increasing in India day-by-day. The role of RTO in regulating traffic is increasing along with this. Some of the key roles performed by RTO are listed as follows:

·         Enforcing the motor vehicle rules established by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

·         Registering new vehicles

·         Maintaining a database for all registered vehicles

·         Issuing licenses to vehicle owners/drivers

·         Routinely inspecting vehicles

·         Issuing certificates to assert the fitness of vehicles

·         Collecting one-time road tax for motor vehicles from vehicle owners

·         Managing the permits issued to trucks, autos, taxis, etc.

·         Implementing any new rules issued by the government with regard to motor vehicles

·         Checking emissions and issuing pollution certificates for vehicles

 

VEHICLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ESTABLISHMENT (VRDE

Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) is a laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) located at Vahannagar near Ahmednagar. Its primary function is research and development of various light tracked, wheeled and specialised vehicles for defence applications

The Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) grew out of the Inspectorate of Mechanical Transport, which was established in 1929 at Chaklala (now Pakistan). It was relocated to Ahmednagar in 1947 and designated as the Technical Development Establishment, Vehicles (TDE). The TDE, Vehicles was once again renamed as the Technical Development Establishment (Vehicles and Engineering Stores) in August 1960 and in February 1962, it was further bifurcated into an engineering and vehicles division. The engineering division was moved to Pune, Maharashtra. In August 1965, the Ahmednagar unit of the TDE, Vehicles was reorganized into a Chief Inspectorate of Vehicles (CIV) and the VRDE and both units were located in Ahmednagar. Finally, in 1971, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) separated tracked and wheeled vehicle activities. VRDE was made responsible for all wheeled vehicles while its sister establishment, the Combat Vehicles R&D Establishment, assigned responsibility for all tracked vehicles. In 1985, VRDE was also vested with responsibility for light tracked vehicles.

VRDE undertakes “research, design, development, and technical trials of all types of wheeled and light tracked vehicles” up to a class of 25 tons. It conducts “road worthiness, fuel efficiency, and pollution tests on vehicles and type testing of automotive engines.” The laboratory also interacts with India’s automobile industry to coordinate the introduction of vehicles into India’s defense forces. VRDE has developed several ground systems for India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. These include:

• “Missile transport system” for “prepared” and “unprepared” missiles.
• “Mobile isolate shelter” for Prithvi and Akash missile systems.
• Tractor-cum-transporter for the 700km-range single-stage Agni-1 missile.
• Safety vehicle to provide “soft, clean, and neutral water” for neutralizing the effects of red fuming nitric acid in the event of an accidental spillage on the missile operator or equipment and to extinguish small fires during Prithvi missile launches.
• “Transport-cum-loader” vehicle for transporting Akash missiles from “tech battery to combat battery.”
• “Launcher trailer” of four-ton capacity with a “hydraulically operated launcher boom with elevation/depression control from towing vehicle.”

 

AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (ARAI)

Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), established in 1966, is the leading automotive R&D organization of the country set up by the Automotive Industry with the Government of India. ARAI is an autonomous body affiliated to the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has recognized ARAI as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO). Further, ARAI is one of the prime Testing and Certification Agency notified by Government of India under Rule 126 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. ARAI has been playing crucial roles assuring safe, less polluting, more efficient and reliable vehicles. Working in harmony and confidence with its Members, Customers and Government it provides services and expertise in the areas of Engineering Services, Certification & Standardisation, Research & Development, Technology Development and Knowledge Initiatives. And also offers Automotive Technologies and India Specific Data Bases for automotive product development for Indian market. ARAI has been assisting Government in formulating automotive standards and regulations. ARAI serves hundreds of customers in a year including Automotive OEMs; Engine, Component and Systems Suppliers; large number of SMEs; and host of Industries/ Organisations from Non-Automotive sectors too.

 

INSURANCE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF INDIA (IRDAI)

The insurance companies in India are supervised by IRDAI - Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India. IRDAI regulates the Indian insurance industry to protect the interests of the policyholders and work for the orderly growth of the industry.

What is IRDAI?

The Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is a regulatory body created with the aim of protecting the policyholder’s interest. It also regulates and sees to the development of the insurance industry.

Click here to know more about IRDAI.

History and Purpose of IRDAI?

The statutory body of IRDAI was established in the year 1999, deriving its powers and functions from the IRDAI Act, 1999 and Insurance Act, 1938. IRDAI works as an autonomous body responsible for managing and regulating the insurance and reinsurance industry in India along with registering and/or licensing insurance, reinsurance companies and intermediaries according to the regulations. Some purposes of IRDAI are:

·         To protect the interest of the policyholders

·         To regulate and promote the orderly growth of the insurance and reinsurance industry

·         To ensure speedy claim settlement and preventing Insurance frauds and other malpractices

·         To better the standards of insurance markets

·         To take action when established regulatory standards are ineffectively enforced

Powers and Functions of IRDAI in the Insurance Industry

To protect the interests of policyholders, the IRDAI was granted significant responsibilities. Here are some of them.

·         Efficiently conducting insurance business and protection of the interests of the policyholders in matters concerning assigning of policy, nomination by policyholders, insurable interest, settlement of insurance claim, surrender value of the policy and other terms and conditions of contracts of insurance

·         Approving product terms and conditions offered by various insurers

·         Regulating investment of funds by insurance companies and maintaining a margin of solvency

·         Specifying financial reporting norms of insurance companies

·         Ensuring insurance coverage are provided in the rural areas and also to the vulnerable sections of society

What is Insurance Ombudsman?

Insurance Ombudsman is a scheme initiated by the Government of India to ensure a cost-effective, efficient and impartial settlement of your grievances. There are 17 Ombudsman offices in India, each covering different regions (jurisdictions). You can file your complaint without paying anything at an office that covers your jurisdiction.

Once the grievance is lodged, the office of the Ombudsman arranges a hearing. This hearing is attended by the claimant and the representatives of the insurer. Usually, the Ombudsman declares the award within three months of the hearing. However, you can approach an Ombudsman only if the value of the claim is less than or equal to ₹ 30 lakh.