Health Concerns Among Truck Drivers in India

A recent report revealed that approximately 55.1% of truck drivers in India experience compromised vision. Specifically, 53.3% of these drivers require corrections for distance vision, and 46% need near-vision treatment. The findings were published on January 28, 2025, and compiled by IIT Delhi.

The report also highlighted additional health issues among drivers, noting that around 44.3% have a borderline or above-average body mass index (BMI), 57.4% exhibit elevated blood pressure levels, and 18.4% present borderline or high blood sugar levels.

In the study, IIT Delhi, working with the Foresight Foundation, screened a total of 50,000 truck drivers across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Furthermore, the report indicated that about 33.3% of drivers reported experiencing moderate stress, while 2.9% were identified with high stress levels, underscoring the necessity for mental health support within this sector.

Union Minister of Road and Transport, Nitin Gadkari, who released the report, stated, “With 70% of traffic on roads and logistics costs escalating to 14-16%, India faces significant challenges in transportation.” He emphasized the critical challenge of a driver shortage, highlighting that there are only 75 drivers available for every 100 trucks.

“We are addressing this issue by prioritizing driver training and well-being, along with a commitment to digitization and app integration to enhance their livelihoods,” Mr. Gadkari added.

Trucks play a crucial role in India’s logistics sector by connecting various regions and facilitating multiple transport modes to complete the logistics cycle. However, truck drivers in India face numerous challenges, including long hours, irregular schedules, extended time away from families, and various health-related issues.

Published on January 28, 2025, at 07:00 pm IST.