From idle fleets to streamlined operations: Solving India’s truck detention crisis

 Trucks that remain stationary not only incur costs but also disrupt an industry striving to streamline operations in a country where logistics expenses remain stubbornly high. With road logistics constituting a whopping USD 170 billion industry, prolonged truck detentions emerge as a costly inefficiency, calling for immediate redressal. Truck detention, defined as time spent waiting beyond agreed loading or unloading periods, has reached critical levels in India. .

For full truckload (FTL) operators, detention is a particularly acute pain point….The underutilization not only impacts fleet owners but also results in cascading financial stress across the supply chain. Symbolic detention charges further aggravate the problem... Truck detention is not just a logistics issue—it’s symptomatic of deeper inefficiencies across the supply chain…Not just that, truck detention also carries a heavy human toll. Drivers stuck for extended periods face deplorable conditions, with no access to basic amenities like restrooms or food. Many resort to cooking under their trucks—a hazardous practice driven by necessity…To address this challenge, stakeholders must embrace both technological and operational reforms: . Digital Coordination: Implementing transport management systems (TMS) and fleet management software can enhance real-time visibility and coordination between shippers, carriers, and warehouses. Synchronizing schedules can minimize waiting times and streamline loading and unloading
processes; 2. Warehouse Optimization: Investment in automated warehouses, better staffing, and more efficient layouts can significantly reduce delays caused by operational inefficiencies; 3. Policy Interventions: Government regulations mandating standardized detention charges and maximum permissible waiting times can create accountability across the supply chain. Just as GST and the e-way bill transformed compliance, such measures could set operational benchmarks; 4. Driver Welfare: Logistics companies must provide basic amenities for drivers, such as restrooms, food stalls, and rest areas, at hubs and client locations. This investment not only improves working conditions but also helps retain talent in a critical industry; 5. Integrated Solutions: Companies offering combined logistics and warehousing solutions can help customers offload goods into temporary storage facilities, reducing truck waiting times and optimizing fleet utilization.

With coordinated efforts from industry players and policymakers, India’s logistics sector can overcome these challenges, paving the way for reduced costs, enhanced efficiency, and improved working conditions.

As the industry evolves, addressing the issue of truck detention will not just be a logistical necessity but a cornerstone for building a resilient and competitive supply chain in India.