It may be the last homespun bastion to be stormed by multinationals. US-based Cummins, one of the largest diesel manufacturers in the world, is looking to set up dhabas in its network of truck service stations across the country.
The Suraksha Truck Stop, as the company calls its fleet service centres, will have a mistry (mechanic), a fuel pump, a branded lube and auto parts shop, and of course, the customary khatiyas (cot), and rice, roti and daal makhani. A health-conscious truck driver can also line up for a free check-up: weight, blood sugar level, eye-sight, etc. A non-government organisation give lessons on how to avoid AIDs, etc.
Branded retail services and the dhaba concept are also being extended to the tier-two service centres run by local service station operators, tyre or battery retailers.
What Cummins rolled out a few months ago as preventive and predictive maintenance business for trucks (brandnamed
