Onsite safety is gaining importance in the mining and construction industry, opines Ruchi Ahluwalia, Director, HR, Marketing & Communications, Scania CV India. “Mine operators are increasingly realising that safe solutions are the key to long-term success.” Scania Commercial Vehicles India is focusing on its Next Truck Generation heavy tipper for the mining industry, a range with a unique modular system and profitability, productivity, safety and efficiency-enhancing features. The Next Truck Generation is BSVI compatible, integrated with an upgraded powertrain, resulting in higher load-carrying capacity, fuel efficiency and uptime. It offers 18 per cent higher payload with a 23-cu-m rock body, up to 5 per cent higher uptime, stronger aggregates for a longer life and a Swedish crash test-certified cabin for enhanced safety. “In general, customers look for better operating efficiency in terms of payloads, capacity, mileage and enhanced driving comfort,” says Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President and Product Line Head – MHCV, Tata Motors. “Customers also look for safety features and easy serviceability and lower maintenance. Mining customers additionally look for rugged heavy-duty vehicles with very good manoeuvrability and gradeability, which are strong, sturdy and reliable in design.” Some notable features in Tata Motors’ tippers and trucks are the e-viscous fan and FE switch for higher fuel-efficiency, electronic stability control in select variants of Prima and Signa trucks for vehicle stability, and reduced risk of accidents, lower repair cost and improved vehicle uptime. Advanced safety features such as automatic traction control and hill start aid help prevent accidents. Selective catalytic reduction technology tackles emissions to meet BSIV norms in tippers of 180 hp and above, and improves engine life and performance. Engine brakes in select tippers improve safety as well as performance in downhill operations. For driver comfort, Tata Motors has introduced the Prima Lx cabin in its 2530 range of tippers. The Prima Lx 3130.K HRT 19-cu-m Scoop offers an ergonomic and comfortable Prima cabin, hub reduction axle and bigger load body. Ahluwalia expects to see more tailored products in the near term, products that are energy-efficient, more powerful, lighter, connected, durable and safer, assuring higher profitability and lower costs and operating risks. CHARU BAHRI