Indian Government Considers New Rules for Dog-Nose Truck Revival to Enhance Road Safety

By Amit Jangra | Published Date : July 04, 2025

The Indian government plans to revive dog-nose trucks and introduce puller trailers to improve road safety, enhance driver visibility and boost freight efficiency across national highways.

In a move that blends the old with the new, the Indian government is considering bringing back the classic dog-nose truck design. These trucks, once a regular feature on Indian highways, might return not for style but to improve road safety. At the same time, officials are eyeing the use of puller trailers to make freight movement smoother and more cost-effective.

A Quick Look at Dog-Nose Trucks

Also Read - Tata Motors Enhances Driver Comfort with AC Cabins Across Truck Range

Table of Contents

1. A Quick Look at Dog-Nose Trucks

2. The Real Reason: Safety

3. Why It Makes Sense to Bring Them Back

4. Better for Long Routes and Heavy Loads

5. What the Govt Is Saying

6. Puller Trailers Could Be the Game-Changer

7. Looking Ahead: What’s the Big Picture?

8. Final Take

If you've ever seen an older Tata truck or Ashok Leyland truck with a long front end, that's a dog-nose truck. The hood sticks out like a snout (hence the name). Back in the day, especially before the late '90s, they were common.

However, stricter rules on truck length then came into effect. To make room for more cargo, manufacturers started switching to flat-nose models the kind we see everywhere now.

Fast forward to today and the government is seriously considering bringing dog-nose trucks back. And the reason isn’t nostalgia.

The Real Reason: Safety

Here’s the thing: dog-nose trucks give drivers a better view of the road. Because the cabin is set further back, they get a clearer angle and more time to react if something suddenly comes up.

Also, in case of a frontal crash, that extra space in front acts as a buffer. It can take the hit before it reaches the driver. In a country where highway crashes involving heavy vehicles are sadly common, this could make a real difference.

Why It Makes Sense to Bring Them Back

Major players like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher, Mahindra and BharatBenz might be the first to take this up. These companies already dominate India’s trucking scene and they’re well-positioned to design newer, safer versions of the dog-nose layout.

Better for Long Routes and Heavy Loads

There’s another upside to performance. Dog-nose trucks are more solidly built and offer better engine cooling. That’s ideal for long trips across states, especially in the Indian heat.

Now pair these with puller trailer trucks that haul multiple trailers at once and you’ve got a serious freight-moving machine. This system is already standard in countries like Australia and the U.S. and it helps reduce trips, save fuel and lower costs.

What the Govt Is Saying

At Urban Adda 2025, a transport-focused event in Delhi, V. Umashankar, the Union Road Transport and Highway Secretary, shared insights on the plan.

He explained how a small design tweak can help drivers react faster. “If the driver is not sitting right over the engine, he sees more of the road and gets a bit of extra time to respond,” he said.

He also admitted this shift won’t happen overnight. Even if the rules are approved soon, it’ll take at least two years for manufacturers to update their production lines and roll out the changes.

Puller Trailers Could Be the Game-Changer

Besides truck design, Umashankar talked about introducing puller trailers, a setup where one truck pulls multiple trailers.

It’s not just about safety. We can move more cargo in one go and save money doing it, he noted. He added that fixing road safety isn’t just an engineering issue. It also needs cooperation from local bodies, communities and even regular citizens.

Looking Ahead: What’s the Big Picture?

The government has a long-term vision too. By 2040, it hopes to complete the national highway network. After that, the focus will shift to keeping roads well-maintained, stopping encroachments and making sure urban growth doesn’t interfere with highways.

Umashankar also addressed urban mobility. In many cities, ride-hailing apps have stepped in where public buses fall short. But they haven’t really eased traffic. The government plans to launch new rules for these aggregators soon, focusing on safety, driver rights and reliability.

Final Take

The revival of dog-nose trucks and the introduction of puller trailers may not sound like big news at first, but they could change how we think about road safety and freight movement in India.

With major truck makers like Tata, Ashok Leyland, Eicher, BharatBenz and Mahindra likely to be part of the process, the shift could bring safer roads and a smarter, more efficient transport system. It's not just about how trucks look, it's about protecting lives and moving the country forward.

Also Read - Patanjali Parivahan Places Order for 250 Trucks with Ashok Leyland

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Frequently Asked Questions on Trucks

1. What are dog-nose trucks?

Ans: Dog-nose trucks are vehicles with a protruding front hood and engine, giving them a shape similar to a dog's nose. This design was common in India until the late 1990s.

2. Why is the government bringing back dog-nose trucks?

Ans: The government aims to improve road safety by reviving dog-nose designs. These trucks offer better driver visibility and act as a buffer during head-on collisions.

3. Which truck manufacturers may adopt this change?

Ans: Leading companies like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher and Mahindra are likely to update their designs to include modern dog-nose trucks.

4. What is the difference between dog-nose and flat-nose trucks?

Ans: Dog-nose trucks have a long front hood that extends out, while flat-nose trucks have a cabin where the driver sits directly above the engine, making them shorter.