By Rajesh Rajgor
Wali Muhammad has been on the road for as long as he can remember. Seventeen years behind the wheel have shaped his life in ways he never imagined when he first started driving as a teenager. Born in 1987, he found his calling early, maneuvering heavy trucks across India’s vast landscapes. Today, he works for Kapoor Diesel, navigating an Eicher BSVI truck across the length and breadth of the country, ensuring goods reach their destinations on time.
He recalls his early years when driving was more about endurance than comfort, but today, things have changed. With his Eicher truck, the journey is smoother, the cabin more spacious, and the fatigue significantly less. The ergonomic seating and well-designed steering wheel ensure a comfortable grip, reducing strain on long-haul trips. The powerful headlights provide excellent visibility at night, a crucial factor for safety. Additionally, the truck’s advanced braking system and reinforced chassis give him confidence, knowing he is driving a vehicle built with safety in mind.
“All India, sir. No route is left untouched,” he says with a quiet sense of pride, when asked about where he drives the most. His truck carries FMCG goods, and the destinations change with every trip. One day, he is driving from Gurgaon to Chandigarh, carrying paper reels. The next, he’s on his way to Bangalore with another load. From Hyderabad to Kolkata, Chennai to Sonipat, his journeys stretch across states, spanning thousands of kilometers. Each trip takes anywhere from a few days to over a month, depending on where the next load awaits.
Life on the road is relentless. A typical day for Wali starts at dawn. By 5 or 6 a.m., he’s up, sipping tea, preparing for another long haul. “We drive till 10 or 11 at night. The company doesn’t allow night driving beyond that,” he explains. In a 24-hour cycle, he covers around 500-550 kilometers, driving nearly 12 to 13 hours, with short breaks in between.
While his truck moves, his mind rarely rests. Highways can be unpredictable. Once, near Narsinghpur in Madhya Pradesh, he found himself caught in a toll booth jam that stretched for half an hour. “A car ahead ran out of money, and the whole line stalled. I stood calmly, waiting. There’s no point getting restless on the road. Accidents happen in a second, and patience is everything.”
Being away from home is the hardest part. Wali’s family lives in Nuh, Mewat, just 20 kilometers from his company’s base. Yet, he often goes weeks, sometimes months, without seeing them. “Last time, I was out for 20 days. Before that, a month and a half,” he shares. His job doesn’t follow a straight route. Loads come in from different cities, and he follows wherever they lead.
Despite the distance, he remains deeply connected to his fellow drivers. Friendships forged on the road are a different kind of bond. “We look out for each other. If a truck breaks down or a driver needs help, we don’t think twice,” he says. He’s seen it all—breakdowns, unexpected detours, lonely stretches of highway where the only company is the hum of the engine and the occasional tea stall flickering in the distance.
Yet, he wouldn’t trade this life for anything. “It’s not a market job. It’s a contact job. The company ensures we always have a load,” he explains. The certainty of work gives him stability, even when his routine is anything but predictable. As he gears up for yet another journey, Wali Muhammad’s life remains a testament to endurance and quiet perseverance. For him, the road is more than just asphalt—it’s home, a place where every mile tells a story, every journey a new adventure.
“At Eicher, we strongly believe that driver efficiency directly impacts the operating economy for truck and bus fleets. By integrating advanced technology, safety features, and driver-centric comfort, we make it easier for drivers of Eicher trucks and buses to cover longer distances comfortably. Our focus remains on delivering value – helping transporters maximize profitability while ensuring a safer, more reliable journey for drivers like Wali ji.”
– SS Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VECV
