So far, the Motor Vehicles’ Act did not have any provision for fitting delivery boxes on two-wheelers but restaurants, e-commerce logistics companies still followed the practice.
Restaurants, e-commerce companies and logistics companies have been facing trouble for a long time to make quick and efficient deliveries possible. This is because, so far, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, did not allow two-wheelers to be fitted with delivery boxes.
Even though the fitment of delivery boxes on two-wheelers was not allowed so far, many restaurants and e-commerce logistics companies have already been following the practice, leading to the delivery boys often being pulled up by the traffic police for violating the law.
Now, a notification dated May 2, 2016, from the Road Transport and Highways has said that companies and restaurants will be allowed to fit a small delivery box on the two-wheeler from October 1, 2016, onwards.
“In the Central Motor Vehicles Rules,1989 (hereafter referred as the said rules), in rule 123, after the first proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:- ‘Provided that on and after 1st October, 2016, a light weight container may be fitted on a motorcycle provided it meets the requirements.”
This is, however, subject to certain conditions like dimensions, according to the notification from the Ministry.
i) the dimensions of the container shall not exceed 550 mm in length, 510 mm in width and 500 mm in height;
(ii) weight of the container including its mounting and the load carried in the container shall not exceed 30 kgs;
(iii) if such container is fitted on the pillion rider space, then no pillion rider shall be allowed: Provided that the weight of container including its mounting and the load carried in the container, shall be within the permissible Gross Vehicle Weight in kg, specified by the vehicle manufacturer and also approved by the test agency referred to in rule 126;
(iv) if such container is fitted behind the pillion rider space then no pillion rider should be allowed to be seated: Provided that the weight of the pillion rider, and weight of the container including its mounting and the load carried in the container, shall be within permissible Gross Vehicle Weight in kg, specified by the vehicle manufacturer and also approved by the test agency referred to in rule 126.”
The National Restaurant Association of India said that it has been engaging with the Ministry for this matter since 2012. Commenting on the devleopment, NRAI said, “NRAI’s consistent efforts have been successful, and the Ministry has agreed to the suggestion of including boxes fitted on two wheelers in the relevant rules.”
