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A month in the India Transport Sector (No 21) January, 2013
1
Copyright India Transport Portal. Edited by Digital Bizzline Ltd. All rights reserved
FUEL AND ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN
After years of sustained economic growth, the signs
of a slowdown in the Indian economy are now
imminent. The emerging Asian giant is preparing to
face one of the toughest economic challenges of
its recent history. The slump in the currency, the decline in
growth rate (5.3%), the lowest in seven years, and the
subsequent and frequent hike in fuel prices are signs of
difficult times and a troubled economy.
More information on ITP
WHY WAS THE DIESEL PRICE HIKE POSTPONED?
Toeing the line of populist politics, successive
governments in India have been discouraged to
raise the prices of petrol and diesel as they are
believed to directly hurt the poor. The crucial
decision to increase prices has been repeatedly postponed
and prices of LPG, kerosene and diesel have been heavily
subsidised by the government.
More information on ITP
SIAM ON THE FUTURE OF DIESEL IN INDIA
Recently, the Society of Indian Automobile
Manufacturers (SIAM) met to seriously discuss the
future of diesel in India as part of the "Diesel for
Future: Economy and Environment" initiative.
Several noted members of the Indian automobile industry
and the government brought forth several proposals to find a
solution and take control the situation.
More information on ITP
OIL FIRMS REAP PETROL PROFIT, BUT WON’T CUT PRICE
Driven by the depreciating value of the rupee
against the US dollar, the increase in price of global
crude oil and the continuing losses incurred by oil
firms, the Government of India announced a steep
price hike of petrol earlier in the year. As the crisis deepened
the burden of international price rise was passed on to
consumers who had to pay the price.
More information on ITP
A few days ago, Road Transport and Highways
Minister C P Joshi said that India was not able
to construct 20 kilometers of roads in a day
because of the lack of builders. He blamed the
economic environment to explain the fund
crush.
But on the other hand, it well recognized that
transportation is a key element when
considering economic development.
Experience has revealed that lack of
adequate transportation constraints the
growth process and limits the reach of
development to different areas in an
economy. That sounds as a vicious circle.
Well, before considering any solution, what is
essential is to fully understand the situation. In
order to do so, india Transport Portal is pleased
to introduce the National Roundtable
Discussion on Governance Issues in
Transportation that takes place in January 31 &
February 1st, 2013.
Against the background of an increasing
concern in regard to governance practices in
the transport sector in India, the Walchand
Hiranchand Unit (WHU) in Transport Economics,
Department of Economics, University of
Mumbai is organizing this event at the Kalina
Campus of the University. The objective is bring
together policy makers and practitioners,
industry players (operators, service providers,
financing entities, users), and academicians
who have been closely connected with the
sector to discuss issues on the theme
mentioned above.
The output from the conference that is
organized by S. Sriraman, Professor of Transport
Economics is expected to be a Status Note on
“Governance Issues in Transportation” with
issues being raised and attempt at solutions
also being spelled out. This note will be sent via
our Portal that is the roundtable partner, to
policy makers, sector specialists, industry
players, and academician across the country
for widespread dissemination.
Please find here the programme and the
background note and, of course, stay tuned
on India Transport Portal to find out more on
this issue!
FOCUS: FUEL EDITORIAL
A month in the India Transport Sector (No 21) January, 2013
2
Copyright India Transport Portal. Edited by Digital Bizzline Ltd. All rights reserved
CONGRESS RECLAIMS RAILWAYS
Indian Railways, one of the largest rail networks in
the world, is also one of the most important political
portfolios of the Indian government. The post of
railways minister has forever been a coveted one
and as a result of the many coalition parties associated with
Congress gaining ground on the political scene, the largest
political party in the country had been forced to handover
the post to its allies.
More information on ITP
RAILWAYS FARE HIKE
Passenger train fares have always been a sensitive
issue for rail passengers and politicians alike. The
former Railways Minister, Dinesh Trivedi, was forced
to resign from his post within days of announcing
passenger train fare hikes. A new fiasco in parliament is set to
erupt with the new Railways Minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal
indicating a possible increase in passenger train fares.
More informations on ITP
HIGH SPEED TRAINS – A CHINESE AND INDIAN
COLLABORATION
Indian travellers may soon be able to reach their
destinations much faster thanks to an Indo-Chinese
venture to incorporate bullet trains into Indian
Railways.
More informations on ITP
PALACE ON WHEELS
A trip to Rajasthan is a journey into the pages of
history and an experience of a lifetime. And what
better way to travel through the royal cities of
Rajasthan than on the absolutely enchanting
Palace on Wheels.
More informations on ITP
LOKMANYA TILAK TERMINUS
The Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) is going through
a major facelift. Previously known as the Kurla
Terminus, LTT is part of the Central Railway line and
there are proposals to make LTT the outstation hub,
replacing Dadar.
More informations on ITP
ASTON MARTIN MAHINDRA STORY
Mahindra and Mahindra
(M&M), a leading Indian
automobile manufacturer,
is all set to acquire a
significant stake in the British
manufacturing giant Aston Martin; a
move that would catapult it to new
heights. If the deal goes through, the
makers of the popular Scorpio SUV in
India could well be churning out the
prestigious sports cars in the future.
M&M is valued at a massive 250-300
million GBP (2,600 Crores INR approx),
and is reportedly one of the strongest
bidders for a 50 percent stake in
Aston Martin. Closely competing with
M&M in the bidding is European
Invest Industrial that has recently
gone into partnership with German
Daimler AG.
More information in ITP
MARUTI LAUNCHES NEW ALTO ON
INDIAN ROADS
Launched on Indian
roads in September 2000,
Maruti Alto has had a
dream run ever since. The
car has been crowned
with stupendous success and has
registered impressive sales figures with
over two million units. In the words of
Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer of Maruti
Suzuki India, “It (Alto) is the country’s
largest selling car for the past eight
years.”
More information in ITP
RAILWAYS AUTO NEWS
A month in the India Transport Sector (No 21) January, 2013
3
Copyright India Transport Portal. Edited by Digital Bizzline Ltd. All rights reserved
PRIVATE COMPANIES GET ROAD PROJECTS
With 3.34 million kilometres of road, India has the
second largest road network in the world. The rapid
expansion and development of roads has made it
the chief mode of transportation in the country.
Today it is responsible for carrying 65% of freight traffic and
85% of passenger traffic in India.
More information on ITP
DUMPED SILTS LEAD TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION
The fast-paced urbanisation and industrialisation in
the country has been the direct offshoot of the
rapid economic growth which India has witnessed
across the last few decades. This not without flaws.
Rapid urbanisation is generating millions of tonnes of waste
which is adversely affecting the environment. In India it is a
common practice to dump waste products like silt and debris
on the roads with total disregard for the havoc it could
create.
More information on ITP
SHOULD HEAVY MOTOR VEHICLES HAVE SEPARATE LANES?
Studies have revealed that heavy vehicles are
involved in most of the major road accidents in
India. One of the many solutions proposed is to
create separate lanes for these vehicles. A heavy
vehicles lane would be defined as a segregated
roadway within the road that is marked and designated for
exclusive use by heavy vehicle drivers. They work in a similar
way to bike lanes.
More information on ITP
SERVICE LANES TO BE MADE SIGNAL FREE
A service lane refers to the road network which
serves as a connecting arterial road to the main
road, highway or expressway along which it is
constructed. These roads run almost parallel to
the highways and allow access to homes, offices,
shops etc.exclusive use by heavy vehicle drivers. They work in
a similar way to bike lanes.
More information on ITP
CUSTOMS AGREEMENT BETWEEN
INDIA AND EU
Luxury cars imported from
Europe to India may not
cost as much in the near
future thanks to an
impending trade
agreement between India and the
European Union. As part of the India –
EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the
Government plans to reduce import
duty on cars imported from countries
in Europe and to facilitate the sale of
small cars that are exported from
India to Europe.
More information on ITP
ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON TYRES
The announcement by the
Finance Ministry of India to
impose anti-dumping duty
on bias ply bus and truck
tyres only put an end to all
the speculation surrounding tyre
imports from the neighbouring
countries of Thailand and China.
According to the new policy, the
anti-dumping duty will be valid for the
next five years and has been
recommended by none other than
the Commerce Ministry. Pegged at
different rates depending on the
make and country of import, the anti-
dumping duty extends to certain
types of tubes and flaps as well.
More information on ITP
ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
TRANSPORT ISSUES
TRADE LEGISLATION
A month in the India Transport Sector (No 21) January, 2013
4
Copyright India Transport Portal. Edited by Digital Bizzline Ltd. All rights reserved
INCREASING NUMBER OF AUTO ACCIDENTS IN INDIA
With the fleet of autos on the roads growing, the
number of road accidents involving these notorious
three-wheelers is also on a rise. The very size and
shape that accounts for their flexibility and mobility
also render them vulnerable on the roads. They are light-
weight and are prone to lose balance, especially when
travelling at a high speed. Moreover in most cities, the auto
drivers are tempted to pick up more passengers than the
allowed number thereby greatly endangering their own and
other people’s lives.
More information on ITP
NEW CAMPAIGN BY INDIAN GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE
ROAD SAFETY
With an estimated 13 people dying every hour on
the roads, India tops the list with the highest
number of road accidents in the world. Every year
thousands of lives are lost to speeding while
several more are left maimed for life. Road safety
issues have plagued governments and concerned authorities
for years. With road accidents assuming dangerous
proportions, the government has been forced to
acknowledge the prevailing situation. Efforts are on to
explore different mediums of propaganda to reach out and
educate the masses on road safety.
More information on ITP
ROAD SAFETY FILMS HIT INDIA’S CINEMAS
One of the most effective mediums of
communication that is being explored is films. India
is a movie-loving nation. Every section of the
population regularly throngs the theatres to catch
the latest movie with their favourite actors and actresses.
Recognising the appeal of films and cinemas, in 2010, the
Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) made
the screening of road safety films mandatory in all movie
theatres across the country. These short films will be shown
before the start of the movie. The objective of these movies is
to highlight the vulnerability of all on the roads and that it is
duty of all to respond to an accident victim.
More information on ITP
More information on ITP
Indian Transport Portal is an online
news center covering the most
critical industrial issues related to
transport markets in India.
India Transport Portal is edited by
Digital Bizzline Ltd. a UK based press
agency recently launched by a
group of freelance journalists.
Digital Bizzline Ltd. is registered at the
Companies House UK: 07301455
TRANSPORTATION ROUNDTABLE
January 31 & February 1st, 2013
Mumbai
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
February 7 – 8, 2013
Bangalore
SIAM BUS SHOW
February 15, 2013
Delhi NCR
TYRE & RUBBER INDONESIA
March 26 – 29, 2013
Jakarta
TYREXPO
July 9 – 13, 2013
Chennai
ROAD SAFETY
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