Every morning, before the sun fully rises over Pune’s industrial landscape, Jitendra Kadam steps into his Eicher 1110 XP with one clear purpose; to deliver life.
Since 2006, Jitendra has been on the road, first behind the wheel of tourist vehicles and now, for the last three years, as a trusted driver with JFK Transporters Pvt. Ltd. He operates a dedicated truck for Linde India Limited, delivering critical medical gases like oxygen and nitrogen across key areas in and around Pune; including Chakan MIDC, Shikrapur, and Khed Shivapur.
“It’s not a fixed route,” he shares, “but it’s always local. Around 100 kilometers a day.” These aren’t long-haul drives, but they’re no less demanding. The cargo; medical cylinders; requires care, precision, and an unwavering adherence to safety protocols.
Linde India doesn’t compromise on safety, and neither does JFK and Jitendra. “Unkey rules bahar ke RTO se bhi zyada strict hain,” he says. From fire extinguishers to flame-resistant uniforms and ratchet straps for securing the load, the safety gear is comprehensive. “Even the dress is designed to resist fire in case of an emergency. We’re trained to handle everything; loading, unloading, and emergencies.”
Jitendra’s pride in his Eicher 1110 XP is evident. “It’s a strong vehicle; very comfortable on Pune’s hilly roads,” he says with satisfaction. The chassis is built for load-bearing stability, and the cabin is spacious and thoughtfully designed. “Steering is smooth, braking is reliable, and the side and rear-view mirrors give full visibility,” he explains. “Even the placement of pallets inside makes the loading and unloading process easier.”
He’s especially happy with how the truck performs on the Ghats. “Chadhai ho ya ghaat, gadi easily sambhal jaati hai,” he says, confident in the vehicle’s pulling power and road grip. When it comes to service, Eicher’s center in Kharabawadi is conveniently located.
A resident of Chimbli, just 11 km from the Linde plant, Jitendra makes it a point to return home every day to his wife, two children, and elderly mother. Despite 12-hour workdays; sometimes stretching to 14 hours; he finds time to unwind with Marathi serials and lighthearted films. “I don’t follow news or cricket much; just some TV to relax,” he says with a quiet smile.
Looking back, Jitendra has driven everything from call center cars to daily shuttles between Pune and Mumbai. But today, he’s content. “Apne kaam se khush hoon,” he says. “There’s respect in this job, and there’s stability.”
He sees how younger drivers hesitate to take up truck driving. “They want quick money,” he reflects. “But this line teaches you discipline, responsibility, and offers real career growth; if you do it sincerely.”
For someone who helps transport the very oxygen that sustains life, Jitendra remains grounded, focused, and humble. He may not make headlines, but his reliability keeps a critical supply chain moving. “If you work with honesty and follow the rules, there’s a future in this line,” he says. “I’ve found mine; driving this Eicher, delivering life.”
“At VECV, we take pride in enabling drivers like Shri. Jitendra Kadam, through our robust Eicher service and support infrastructure. With over a thousand service touchpoints, backed by our 24X7X365 Uptime Center and the industry-leading MyEicher app, we provide proactive, real-time support to maximize vehicle availability. Together, these solutions give drivers the confidence to focus on what matters most — serving Indian logistics safely, reliably, and confidently.”
Ramesh Rajagopalan, EVP – Customer Service, Retail Excellence & Network Development,VE Commercial Vehicles
