Many of the transportation companies have been reporting shortage of truck drivers, making their fleet remain stand still. With this shortage, the economic activity of the logistics industry seems to be much effected as very recently the government had introduced taxes on goods and services and expanded many of the interstate highways, making it easier for the goods to traverse across the country.
In India, it is estimated that 80% of the freight is transported along the roads than rails, with trucks being the heavy freight carriers. According to an estimate by Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training, there are 5.6 million trucks operating in the country, with a heavy requirement of around 7,00,000 to 8,00,000 truck drivers every year.
When inquired about the reasons of decrease in truck drivers, the obvious reason was lure for high paying jobs in the metropolis among the youth. Many of the truck drivers too complain about the disgrace they get by the owners, policemen and the men manning the toll booths.
Source: Livemint.com