On the road to Sawai Madhopur-1
Hi folks!
But not just any person with an addiction. I’m a road-tripping addict.
Not with a sight-seeing mindset.
But I want to meet, greet, and chat (MGC) with long-haul truck drivers on the arteries of India, who play a crucial role in keeping our economy moving.
At least 300,000km have been accomplished since 2010.
The tally of my driver mulaqat crossed 100,000 long ago, and I stopped counting.
Without exception, every saarthi has a story to tell.
But a few to listen.
I am a sucker for stories.
I listen, learn and loan it to those who have an ear for stories, like me.
I will be on the road to Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, in a few hours.
The inevitable question is: You’re off to Ranthombore on a tiger trail!
Nope.
Sorry to disappoint you.
My Sawai Madhopur visit is not for tiger-chasing but truck driver-chasing!
Friends have been talking about driver shortage.
The question is not about whether there is one but how to mitigate it.
My prescription is simple: Pay well. Treat well. It’s high time we recognise our drivers’ hard work and dedication with a fair compensation package.
The situation is pathetic on both counts. The entire transport ecosystem is full of bridgeable gaps, but none are ready to address this topic with the sincerity it deserves.
Everything boils down to compensation.
That’s why I, parrot-like, mouthing the “pay well” mantra.
Am I exaggerating?
Nope.
There is no structured compensation package for drivers.
Few companies have drivers on their rolls. This function is outsourced via guarantors.
One driver takes the lead to group a bunch of other drivers and offers them as a package to the all-eager motormalik. He takes responsibility for his flock’s behaviour. He is compensated per driver per month.
The motormalik is happy. The guarantor too. The flock to a certain extent.
Is the guarantor route good or bad? It depends.
Good, mostly from the Motormalik’s perspective.
However, lately, start-ups such as Road Pilot and Signo have attempted to rectify this anomaly.
What do they do? They organise and conduct adequate due diligence when recruiting drivers and contract them out to potential employers: motormaliks. Of course, compensation is paid to these newbies, and they release regular monthly payments with the requisite social security benefits, PF, ESI, etc.
Look at the supply side.
Senior drivers are exiting. The young lot sees better living and financial benefits in the Uber/Ola format. Drive in airconditioned cabs in cities with people cargo for 14 or more hours and return home daily with a net income of Rs.1,000/-
The pipeline is shrinking. The $5 trillion economy dream and the associated jack-up of manufacturing’s contribution to GDP from 16 to 25% demand more tangible goods production, not the export of software code.
Why there are few takers for truck driving?
How do you make it sexy as a career option?
Trucking jobs must be promoted differently, showcasing the potential for growth and success in this industry.
One of my main goals for this Sawai Madhopur road trip is to find ways to make trucking jobs more appealing.
(To be continued)
