NAMAKKAL: Following a union government mandate for air-conditioned truck cabins, which came into effect on October 1, Namakkal, one of India’s largest hubs for lorry and truck body-building, is now at the forefront of a major transition.
The mandate, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, requires all newly manufactured heavy commercial vehicles (N2 and N3 categories) to be fitted with AC cabins to improve driver comfort and reduce fatigue.
Several manufacturers have already begun producing fully enclosed, AC-equipped cabins, but this has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders across the supply chain, including owners, builders and drivers.
P Thiyagarajan, who runs Shree Gowriamman Industries, said his factory has produced nearly 50 AC-cabin lorries since the mandate took effect. “We are building lorries with fully enclosed doors. AC cabins add about Rs 50,000 to the cost, pushing a Rs 8 lakh build to around Rs 8.5 lakh. He added that while some support it, many are reluctant to buy vehicles with AC cabins.
R Rajkumar, another builder, who runs Angalamman Body Builders, echoed similar cost concerns. He explained that the extra expense is driven by the AC unit itself, enclosed doors, insulation materials, and additional structure required to preserve cabin temperature.
“Only a few of these AC-built lorries are on the road now; most are still going through the fitness certification process. It will take at least six months for us to understand how well these cabins function,” he said.
Truck owners, meanwhile, are worried about cumulative costs. K Kumaraswamy, who operates around 30 lorries in Salem, said the rule adds pressure to an already thin-margin sector.
“Apart from the Rs 50,000 hike to purchase a truck, mileage takes a hit. A lorry that gives around 3 km/litre may drop further with AC cabins. For lorries operating longer distances, this impacts net profit,” he said.
He added that while the government claims AC cabins will improve driver comfort, they fail to understand that factors like poor road infrastructure continue to burden drivers more.
“Like the shift to BS-VI vehicles, every upgrade increases the price of spares, manufacturing costs and adds to that, tolls. However, freight rates never rise proportionally,” he said.
The state Lorry Owners Federation president, C Dhanraj, also noted that maintenance costs for AC cabins may be higher.
On the ground, drivers are also deeply divided. Sundar C, a driver from Salem, expressed safety concerns. “With fully enclosed doors, drivers may fall asleep, as we are used to open-air cabins. Adjusting to a closed AC space will take time, especially at night,” he said.
Many others, however, are optimistic. Suresh G, who drives from Pudukottai on interstate routes, welcomed the change.
“During the summer, driving used to be exhausting. With AC cabins, we would be able to cover longer distances without tiring ourselves. On long runs to North India, this could make a difference,” he said.