ODC & Project Cargo Transport
Boilers, transformers, reactors, wind-turbine parts, bridge girders and other loads too big for a standard truck — moved with route surveys, permits, the right axle lines and an escort.
Over-dimensional cargo (ODC) is any load whose width, height, length or weight goes beyond what a normal truck may carry on public roads. Project cargo is the wider job of moving the heavy and oversized pieces of an industrial or infrastructure project, often in many consignments that must arrive in sequence. Both depend on planning more than trucking: a route survey to find low bridges, tight turns and weak culverts, permission from the road authorities on the route, a trailer with enough axle lines to spread the weight, and an escort to manage the move.
Who it's for
- EPC contractors and project owners moving heavy equipment to site
- Manufacturers of transformers, boilers, vessels and heavy fabrications
- Renewable-energy projects moving blades, towers and nacelles
- Freight forwarders handling break-bulk and project shipments
What's included
Route survey
The route is driven and measured before the move: bridge clearances, overhead wires, turning radii, culverts and road width are recorded, with alternatives where needed.
Permits and approvals
ODC movement typically needs permission from the road authorities on the route; the transporter prepares the application with the survey and load details.
Hydraulic axle trailers
Modular hydraulic trailers with the number of axle lines the weight requires, plus low-beds and extendable trailers for long or tall pieces.
Escort and traffic plan
Pilot vehicles, flagmen and a movement plan that respects any time-of-day restrictions on oversized loads.
Lifting and jack-and-skid
Crane lift plans, or jacking and skidding where a crane cannot reach, at both loading and placement.
Project coordination
One plan for multi-piece shipments, so pieces reach site in the order the erection team needs them.
ODC & project cargo — estimate guidance
| Type | Estimated rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Low-bed / extendable trailer move | ₹150 – ₹400 / km | Moderately over-dimensional loads |
| Route survey | ₹25,000 – ₹2,00,000 | By distance and complexity of the route |
| Hydraulic axle trailer | quoted per project | Priced on axle lines, weight, distance and duration |
| Permits and escort | quoted per route | Depends on the authorities and distance involved |
Indicative estimates only. Every ODC and project cargo move is different, so it is quoted after a route survey; the figures above are only a starting point for budgeting. Always get a written, itemised proposal.
How freight booking works
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Frequently asked questions
What counts as over-dimensional cargo (ODC)?
Any load that, once on the vehicle, exceeds the normal legal limits for width, height, length or weight on public roads. Common examples are transformers, boilers, pressure vessels, wind-turbine blades and long structural girders. The exact limits are set by the motor vehicle rules, so your transporter checks your load against them.
Why is a route survey needed?
Because a load that fits on the trailer may not fit under a bridge, round a junction or across a weak culvert. The survey finds these obstacles in advance, so the route, the trailer and any temporary works are planned rather than discovered on the road.
Who arranges permits for ODC movement?
Usually the transporter, with details from you: dimensions, weight, drawings and the route survey. Permission is typically needed from the road authorities on the route, which can take time, so start early.
Does ODC need a special e-way bill?
The e-way bill is generated in the normal way, but it records that the vehicle carries over-dimensional cargo, and the validity is calculated on a much shorter distance per day than normal cargo because ODC moves slowly. Check the current GST rules when generating it.
How long does an ODC move take?
Much longer than a normal truck covering the same distance. Oversized loads move slowly, often only in permitted hours, and may wait for escorts or temporary works. Planning, survey and permits often take longer than the move itself.
How is ODC transport priced?
Per project, after the survey. The main cost drivers are the trailer type and number of axle lines, the distance and expected days on the road, permits and escorts, lifting at both ends and any temporary works on the route.