CB BureauTata Motors inaugurated a Saarthi Aaram Kendra, a rest stop for commercial vehicle drivers, in Udaipur in association with Pasco Motors. This is the fifth Saarthi Aaram Kendra in the country for truck drivers launched by the company in the last 10 months. The initiative is primarily aimed at improving the working conditions of commercial vehicle drivers while promoting a better quality of life and improving their mental and physical wellbeing.
The Saarthi Aaram Kendra in Udaipur is expected to benefit the saarthis through various amenities such as a driver rest area, a canteen/dhaba, a doctor’s facility, clean washrooms, a vehicle servicing facility, secured parking, and a driver training room. According to the company, these facilities will help the saarthis by providing them access to state-of-the-art amenities and address their medical requirements.
The Saarthi Aaram Kendra initiative is a part of the company’s larger driver-welfare programme that includes the ‘Tata Motors Samarth’ initiative, which covers accidental insurance, hospitalisation cover, financial counselling, and educational assistance packages for their children and families.
The first Saarthi Aaram Kendra was inaugurated in May 2019, at an Indian Oil facility in Haryana. As per the company, it has received a healthy response with more than 50 drivers availing its facilities on a daily basis. Tata Motors has a strategic plan to set up more such facilities along major National Highways.
In a press release shared with CB, Rajesh Kaul, vice president, sales & marketing, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, said, ‘Truck drivers form an important cog in the wheel, keeping the economy of India moving. At Tata Motors, we appreciate their efforts and we want to prioritise their mental health and physical wellness through our initiatives.’
The company, however, did not respond to our questions on accessibility and eligibility of the Kendra, if it’s free to use, and availability of doctors.