In what is seen as a global energy crisis on the back of the ongoing war between Iran and USA-Israel, is now also expected to have an impact on the Indian transport sector.

Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor & Former President – All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has called for proactive government measures to protect the economy and the road transport sector from the effects of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The warning follows a surge in crude oil prices to nearly USD 95 per barrel and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as of late February 2026.

The road transport sector is experiencing a slowdown due to reduced industrial output. Industry observations indicate a decline of up to 50 percent in certain segments, with projections suggesting this could reach 70–80 percent if current disruptions persist.

Furthermore, it can also lead to rising prices for fuel, lubricants, tyres and AdBlue (urea). He has expressed concerns over driver migration due to fewer work opportunities and the closure or price increases at highway eateries.

The ‘energy war’ scenario is impacting the wider MSME ecosystem, leading to higher production costs and operational challenges for small businesses and trading establishments.

Singh has urged the government to implement policy support to maintain economic stability, emphasising that the transport sector serves as the lifeline for domestic trade.

Proposed interventions include:

• Deferment of Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs).
• Introduction of soft loan schemes.
• Targeted tax relaxations for transporters and MSMEs.

Bal Malkit Singh, said, “The current geo-political developments are an early warning signal for our economy. The road transport sector, being the lifeline of trade and commerce, is already experiencing stress due to reduced movement and rising operational costs. If timely interventions are not considered, the situation could escalate significantly in the coming weeks. It is essential to support MSMEs and transporters through relief measures such as deferment of EMIs, soft loan schemes, and tax relaxations to ensure business continuity and economic stability.”

Image credit: Samuel Wolfl/Pexels

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In an appeal to smooth the movement of trucks and goods transportation, Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor and Former President of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to abolish state border check posts nationwide. The appeal cites the current geopolitical climate and global fuel uncertainties as primary reasons for removing physical barriers to logistics.

The representation notes that despite the implementation of GST and digital enforcement, states including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu continue to operate physical check posts. Singh argues these systems cause fuel wastage, congestion and economic losses that impact industrial competitiveness and foreign exchange reserves.

The letter mentioned that in Maharashtra alone, approximately 90,000 commercial vehicles enter and exit the state daily. The report claims nearly 270,000 litres of diesel are wasted each day due to idling and queues, resulting in an estimated economic loss of INR 270 million per day. Singh suggests that nationwide losses would be significantly higher.

The appeal urges the Union Government to encourage states to move toward technology-driven enforcement systems in alignment with the National Logistics Policy.

Bal Malkit Singh, said, “Every truck standing idle at a border check post burns the nation’s fuel, weakens productivity, increases logistics costs and drains valuable foreign exchange reserves. In today’s geo-political environment, abolishing outdated border check posts is no longer merely a transport reform — it is a national economic necessity and a patriotic responsibility.”

The representation includes previous communications sent to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the removal of state-specific posts. The transport sector is seeking a reform initiative to ensure the seamless movement of goods across the country.

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Eicher Trucks and Buses, a unit of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cityflo to deploy 2,000 buses over the next three years. The agreement includes the planned deployment of 500 buses in the 2027 financial year.

As per the understanding, Eicher Trucks and Buses will provide a portfolio of vehicles, including diesel, CNG and electric models. The agreement specifically covers the Eicher Skyline Pro 3011 AC Pushback with Rear Air Suspension. The partnership focuses on delivering uptime, maintenance support and configurations tailored to urban operations, such as reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels and enhanced climate control.

B Srinivas, MD & CEO, VECV, said, “Our partnership with Cityflo reflects a shared commitment to transforming daily urban commuting through reliable, comfortable and efficient mobility solutions at scale. By combining Eicher’s advanced buses and service ecosystem with Cityflo’s commuter-first approach, we will deliver a dependable and premium travel experience that makes everyday journeys more predictable, convenient and sustainable for passengers. The partnership aligns with Government vision to decongest city roads and save foreign exchange on fuel imports by presenting an attractive public transport solution to cities across India.”

Rishabh Shah, Co-Founder & CBO, Cityflo, added, "At Cityflo, we believe corporate commutes should be comfortable, convenient, consistent and affordable, without compromise. Our partnership with Eicher Trucks & Buses started in 2024, when we set out to understand the right bus configuration for city commutes. The result was a brand-new 27-seater vehicle, built specifically for city roads and refined to meet Cityflo's service standards. We're excited to continue building on that same spirit of collaboration as we scale."

The collaboration aims to provide an alternative to personal vehicle use to reduce road congestion. Service integration will include on-site support and maintenance schedules designed around peak-hour requirements to ensure operational reliability for passengers.

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Building on a strong heritage that enables the Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer to provide a modular system to its buyers where they can pick and choose aggregates to attain a solution that most suits their application needs, Scania’s Longline cab – through series production – is being offered as a low-volume, factory-certified solution for those that want extended space, comfort and flexibility.
Combining Scania’s CrewCab and S-series high-roof cab to create a product that no other OEM currently offers from factory, the respective cab will be made in Laxå, with chassis built in Södertälje. A natural evolution of a concept that has long been appreciated by customers, according to Lars Gustafsson, Head of Trucks, Scania, the Longline cab will come with a limited interior configuration behind the seats, including options such as a standard bed with storage or shelving – or a more open layout. 
The focus is on clearly defined mounting points, enabling customers to design interiors according to their specific requirements. Many customers are expected to further personalise their vehicles through custom paint and interior solutions. 
Born out of a market demand and a desire to improve driver conditions, the Longline cab aims at those who are keen to attract and retain drivers – a key challenge in the transport industry at current. 
“The cab is not only about space but about creating a better working environment for drivers. This is increasingly important for our customers,” said Gustafsson. “Longline is adapted according to the European IVD legislation (Increased Vehicle Dimensions, that has been enabled for customers all over Europe to purchase longer vehicles,” he added. Sales are slated to begin in April 2026. 
The 11-litre Super powertrain from Scania, on the other hand, claims to be the most efficient combustion powertrain platform ever. Relevant for a wide range of operators, including companies running urban routes and longer inter-city routes, the engine offers superior fuel efficiency and a power output of 350, 390 and 430 hp. Capable of handling certain applications, which a 13-litre engine does, the 11-litre Super powertrain offers remarkable fuel efficiency indeed. It also offers much longer engine lifespan, improved serviceability and compatibility with renewable fuels. The new Variable Valve Braking (VVB)technology enhances safety of operation. 
The superior fuel efficiency is the basis of VVB, which combines the compression release brake technology from the new 13-litre engines with the cam phaser technology from the new Super 11, creating an impressive braking power of up to 350 kW. With the VVB capable of replacing the retarder, resulting in 80 kg weight saving, the 11-litre Super powertrain is capable of up to two million kilometres, a 25-percent increase on the previous equivalent. 
 

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, has inaugurated three service centres in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. The workshops, located in Jhansi, Kabrai and Chitrakoot, are operated by PPS Trucking. The expansion is intended to support commercial vehicle movement in mining and infrastructure corridors.

The new centres cover over 110,000 sqft and include 18 service bays with an annual capacity to maintain 7,500 vehicles. The facilities feature diagnostic systems and provide 24x7 roadside assistance using a fleet of 5 mobile vans.

They will provide maintenance, repairs and express services for BharatBenz trucks and buses. The workshops also include rest areas for drivers and are staffed by 64 technicians.

DICV states Bundelkhand region is a hub for minerals such as granite, sandstone and limestone, which are used in the construction and cement industries.

Rajiv Chaturvedi, President & Chief Business Officer, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, “In Bundelkhand’s mining and infrastructure belt, every hour a vehicle is off the road is a cost our customers cannot afford. With our expansion into Jhansi, Kabrai and Chitrakoot, we are putting world-class service and genuine spares exactly where the demand is highest. Faster turnaround, higher vehicle availability, better operational efficiency – that is what this network means on the ground. BharatBenz is committed to being a true uptime partner for fleet operators in every high-activity corridor,” said

Rajiv Sanghvi, Managing Director, PPS Trucking, added, “Our partnership with BharatBenz is built on the shared vision of offering customer-centric and quality service. With these new facilities at Jhansi, Kabrai and Chitrakoot, we are delighted to be now even better positioned to support BharatBenz customers across Bundelkhand’s high-potential mining and industrial routes. This expansion brings us closer to our customers and reinforces our commitment to providing faster, seamless service support, enhancing vehicle uptime and driving greater profitability for our customers.”

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