Truck driver shortage disrupts logistics industry
WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS

Truck driver shortage disrupts logistics industry

The Indian logistics industry is experiencing a significant shortage of long-haul truck drivers. Many drivers are leaving the profession, and numerous young people are not interested in becoming truck drivers.

Fleet operators and industry associations have reported that the truck-to-driver ratio has dropped to an alarmingly low level of about 55:100, compared to 75:100 a few years ago.

Several factors contribute to the high attrition rate and deter many from the younger generation from joining the profession. These factors include low pay scales, harassment by highway authorities and police, adverse weather conditions, accident risks, lack of work benefits, and insufficient hygienic restrooms and night parking facilities.

In addition, a lack of respect for the profession, long periods away from home, and less demanding job options like cab driving are also reasons many drivers, primarily from Tier 2 and 3 cities, do not want to drive heavy trucks.

Balasubramanian A, vice president of TeamLease Services, stated that there are about 6 million trucks actively being used on Indian roads, but the number of drivers is approximately 3.6 million. He noted that the truck-to-driver ratio is currently 1:0.6, whereas it was around 1:1.3 in the 80s and 90s. He added that at least 2 million trucks are not being actively used due to the driver shortage.

Balasubramanian explained that truck drivers spend nearly 20-25 days away from home each month, work in poor conditions, and that more than 50% of them develop some medical condition. He mentioned that they do not receive good pay, with most truck drivers not wanting their children to enter the profession. The average salary for truck drivers is about Rs 20,000-25,000 per month, whereas city cab drivers, who have less strenuous jobs, earn between Rs 20,000-30,000.

Industry officials indicated that the crisis has worsened in the past 2-3 months due to the extreme summer, with many drivers falling ill or not reporting to duty. Abhishek Gupta, General Secretary of the All India Transporters Welfare Association, stated that the driver shortage has been a particular concern this year due to the extreme weather conditions. He added that most regions report drivers returning to their villages for weddings or voting, causing many vehicles to be idle. Gupta noted that the shortage is more acute in the medium and heavy truck segments.

The Indian logistics industry is experiencing a significant shortage of long-haul truck drivers. Many drivers are leaving the profession, and numerous young people are not interested in becoming truck drivers. Fleet operators and industry associations have reported that the truck-to-driver ratio has dropped to an alarmingly low level of about 55:100, compared to 75:100 a few years ago. Several factors contribute to the high attrition rate and deter many from the younger generation from joining the profession. These factors include low pay scales, harassment by highway authorities and police, adverse weather conditions, accident risks, lack of work benefits, and insufficient hygienic restrooms and night parking facilities. In addition, a lack of respect for the profession, long periods away from home, and less demanding job options like cab driving are also reasons many drivers, primarily from Tier 2 and 3 cities, do not want to drive heavy trucks. Balasubramanian A, vice president of TeamLease Services, stated that there are about 6 million trucks actively being used on Indian roads, but the number of drivers is approximately 3.6 million. He noted that the truck-to-driver ratio is currently 1:0.6, whereas it was around 1:1.3 in the 80s and 90s. He added that at least 2 million trucks are not being actively used due to the driver shortage. Balasubramanian explained that truck drivers spend nearly 20-25 days away from home each month, work in poor conditions, and that more than 50% of them develop some medical condition. He mentioned that they do not receive good pay, with most truck drivers not wanting their children to enter the profession. The average salary for truck drivers is about Rs 20,000-25,000 per month, whereas city cab drivers, who have less strenuous jobs, earn between Rs 20,000-30,000. Industry officials indicated that the crisis has worsened in the past 2-3 months due to the extreme summer, with many drivers falling ill or not reporting to duty. Abhishek Gupta, General Secretary of the All India Transporters Welfare Association, stated that the driver shortage has been a particular concern this year due to the extreme weather conditions. He added that most regions report drivers returning to their villages for weddings or voting, causing many vehicles to be idle. Gupta noted that the shortage is more acute in the medium and heavy truck segments.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

-->