"Rate of radialisation is actually an index of the status of road development, vehicle engineering and the economy in general". Notwithstanding the problem areas, constraints and limitations, the tyre companies have kept pace with the technological improvements that radialisation signifies and offer state-of-the-art product (tyres), comparable to the best in the world.

• Radialisation can be aptly classified as the most important innovation in tyre technology. Despite its several advantages (additional mileage; fuel saving; improved driving) radialisation in India earlier did not catch on at a pace that was expected, since its introduction way back in 1978. This could be attributed due to several factors, viz. Indian roads generally not being suitable for ideal plying of radial tyres; (older) vehicles produced in India not having suitable geometry for fitment of radial tyres (and hence the general, and wrong, perception that radial tyres are not required for Indian vehicle; unwillingness of consumer to pay higher price for radial tyres etc.

• However, the situation has radically changed in recent years, especially for the passenger car tyre segment where radialisation has crossed 97% mark and is expected to reach 100% in two to three years. In the Medium and Heavy Commercial vehical segment current level of radialisation is upto 4%, and that in the LCV segment is estimated at 15%.

• A few years back a beginning was made in Radialisation of truck and bus and LCV tyres and this process is gaining momentum.

Future of Radialisation

The future of radialisation will be governed by the following factors:

• Cost - Benefit Ratio
• Road Development
• Overload Control
• User Education
• Retreading Infrastructure.
  

CURB ON OVER-LOADING OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Supreme Court had in November 2005 passed an Order directing State Governments to ensure that commercial vehicles are loaded only as per norm prescribed under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.