Magma Fincorp ltd, a premier Mumbai based NBFC along with Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), a Government of India body, recently announced the successful completion of the first phase of Highway Heroes, a CSR programme where they have trained one lakh truck drivers. The movement was initiated in 2015 to achieve three unique feats – reducing pollution, increasing fuel efficiency and profitability of the truckers’ community along with imparting safe driving skills.
In the first phase, permanent porta cabins and e-toilets have been installed in 8 high traffic transport nagars across the country. These porta cabins are being used to hold workshops for drivers on improving driving habits for better mileage and fuel conservation and their regular medical checkup and posture correction. Over 60,000 drivers have benefitted directly through the medical camps conducted in these porta cabins.
The workshops conducted jointly by the Magma and PCRA for the truckers’ well-being has made significant social, economical and environmental impact:
Motivated by the positive impact and the huge potential of the movement, Magma and PCRA now aim to take this initiative to more transport nagars and train another 1.5 lakh drivers in the next 3 years.
Appreciating the Magma’s initiative and talking about the workshops, Alok Tripathi, Executive Director, PCRA said, “Since its the inception, PCRA (Petroleum Conservation Research Association under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas) engaged in promoting fuel conservation and its efficient utilisation in major sectors of economy namely agriculture, transport, domestic, industry and commercial through its various activities. It also helps the government in proposing policies and strategies for petroleum conservation, aimed at reducing excessive dependence of the county on oil requirement.”
Over the years, PCRA has enlarged it’s role in improving productivity in use of various sources of energy for the purpose of achieving environmental protection and sustainable development. “As far as transport sector is concerned there is a saving potential of about 20 per cent in this sector. He appreciated the joint initiative of MAGMA and PCRA for conducting trainings and workshops at various transport nagar locations across India, covering about 100000 drivers under the programme till July, 2017,” he added.
India has approximately 2 million drivers of medium and heavy trucks. On an average a driver drives about 10000 -12,000 kilometres per month, becoming vulnerable to eye sight issues, unhealthy eating habits, posture problems, common ailments of cough and cold due to fatigue, and the danger of HIV. Club this with poor highway safety conditions and the highways become more vulnerable to accidents. In India, drivers’ faults account for 78.5 per cent (3, 81,648 accidents) of total accidents and more than 30 per cent of deaths, which are associated with trucks annually. Magma at these porta-cabins is organising regular bi-monthly free consultation, diagnosis and basic medication, wellbeing, posture correction and de-stress workshops for drivers.
Kaushik Sinha, Vice President and National head of Corpcomm and CSR, Magma Fincorp ltd, said, “The partnership with PCRA has enabled Magma to offer structured and qualified driving habits training to over 1 lakh trucks. Magma has been working with this sector for a long time and has been continuously ensuring the well-being of the truckers. The skills imparted allow the truckers to be profitable. As we launch the second phase of the initiative, we urge other stakeholders to join the movement.”