Insured Truck Returned With Diesel Leak, Owner Levels Negligence Charge Against Eicher Workshop

Srinagar, July 7, KNT: A truck owner from Doda has alleged that his vehicle was returned by an authorised Eicher Trucks and Buses workshop in Srinagar after remaining there for nearly eight months following an accident, but continued to suffer from serious mechanical defects, leaving him stranded on the road shortly after taking delivery.

Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Doda, told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that his canter truck (JK06C-3080) was damaged in an accident in Sonamarg around eight months ago and was subsequently shifted to the Eicher Trucks and Buses workshop at Khonmoh, Srinagar, for repairs.

He claimed that despite having first-party “Zero Depreciation” insurance coverage with New India Assurance, he was asked to pay Rs 70,000 before the vehicle was released.

“We paid the amount but were not issued any receipt. After taking the truck from the workshop, we reached Bemina when the vehicle started leaking diesel, forcing us to stop on the roadside,” Bashir Ahmad alleged.

He further alleged that the truck remained at the workshop for nearly eight months, causing him substantial financial losses due to the prolonged delay in repairs.

Contacted by KNT, Assistant Works Manager of Eicher Trucks and Buses at Khonmoh said the owner had been advised to undertake a 40-kilometre road trial along with a company technician to assess the vehicle’s performance after repairs.

“He was requested to conduct the road trial with our technician, but he declined. The vehicle was released thereafter. The issue will be rectified tomorrow as there is no technical manpower available at the workshop at this hour,” the official said. [KNT]