Version: 1.0

Effective Date: 14th September 2026

These General Terms & Conditions of Carriage ("Terms") govern every Consignment accepted for transportation by Prakash Roadlines Private Limited ("PRL", "Company", "Carrier"). These Terms apply to all services provided through the Company's owned branches, hubs, and authorised franchise network.

The version of these Terms in force on the date of booking shall govern the relevant Consignment and supersede all previous versions.

1. Scope of Application

• 1.1. These Terms govern every Consignment accepted by the Company for transportation, whether booked as a Less-than-Truckload (LTL), Parcel, or Full Truck Load (FTL) Consignment.
• 1.2. By tendering a Consignment for carriage, the Consignor confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms. The Consignee shall likewise be bound by these Terms upon accepting delivery of the Consignment.
• 1.3. These Terms shall apply in addition to any applicable quotation, rate contract, Service Level Agreement (SLA), or other written agreement executed by the Company. Where any inconsistency arises, the specific written agreement shall prevail only to the extent of that inconsistency.
• 1.4. These Terms apply to every booking made through the Company's branches, hubs, authorised franchise partners, representatives, digital platforms, or any other booking channel approved by the Company.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms, the following expressions shall have the meanings assigned to them below:

• 2.1. Company
  "Company" means Prakash Roadlines Private Limited ("PRL"), including its owned branches, hubs, and authorised franchise partners acting within the scope of their authority.
• 2.2. Carrier
  "Carrier" means the Company acting as the transporter of a Consignment.
• 2.3. Consignor
  "Consignor" means the individual, firm, company, or other legal entity tendering a Consignment for transportation and named as such in the Goods Consignment Note (GC Note) or Lorry Receipt (LR).
• 2.4. Consignee
  "Consignee" means the individual, firm, company, or other legal entity named in the GC Note or LR as the intended recipient of the Consignment.
• 2.5. Consignment
  "Consignment" means any goods, articles, merchandise, or cargo accepted by the Company for transportation under a single GC Note or LR.
• 2.6. Goods Consignment Note (GC Note)/Lorry Receipt (LR)
  "GC Note" or "LR" means the document issued by the Company acknowledging receipt of a Consignment and evidencing the contract of carriage.
• 2.7. Parcel/LTL
  "Parcel" or "LTL" means a Less-than-Truckload Consignment transported together with other consignments.
• 2.8. Full Truck Load (FTL)
  "FTL" or "Market Load" means a booking where an entire vehicle is allocated to a single Consignment.
• 2.9. Carrier's Risk
  "Carrier's Risk" means a booking accepted by the Company under the terms applicable to Carrier's Risk Consignments upon payment of the prescribed additional freight, always subject to these Terms.
• 2.10. Owner's Risk
  "Owner's Risk" means a booking where the Consignment is transported at the risk of the Consignor or owner in accordance with these Terms.
• 2.11. Proof of Delivery (POD)
  "Proof of Delivery" or "POD" means the physical or electronic acknowledgement confirming receipt of a Consignment by the Consignee or its authorised representative.

3. General Conditions of Carriage

• 3.1.

  Acceptance of Goods

  • 3.1.1. Unless expressly declared by the Consignor and recorded in the GC Note, the Company does not verify the nature, contents, condition, or value of any Consignment. All goods are accepted as packed by the Consignor, carried on a "said to contain" basis and transported at the Owner's Risk unless specifically booked under Carrier's Risk.
  • 3.1.2. The Consignor shall ensure that every Consignment is properly packed, labelled, and suitable for normal road transportation. The Company shall not be responsible for any loss or damage arising from inadequate, defective, or unsuitable packing.
• 3.2.

  Transfer Between Vehicles or Carriers

  • 3.2.1. The Company may transport a Consignment using another vehicle, branch, hub, or authorised Carrier whenever operationally necessary.
  • 3.2.2. Any such Carrier shall be deemed to act as the Company's authorised agent for the purposes of transportation and delivery, and the Company shall remain responsible for the Consignment in accordance with these Terms.
• 3.3.

  Fragile or Delicate Goods

  • 3.3.1. Fragile, perishable, or delicate goods, including but not limited to glassware, crockery, furniture, artworks, fresh produce, and similar articles, shall be accepted only at the Owner's Risk unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • 3.3.2. The Company shall not be responsible for damage arising from the inherent nature of such goods or from normal vibration, handling, or transit conditions, provided reasonable care has been exercised during transportation.
• 3.4.

  Undelivered or Unclaimed Consignments

  • 3.4.1. The Company may dispose of any perishable Consignment remaining undelivered or unclaimed for more than forty-eight (48) hours after its arrival at the destination without prior notice.
  • 3.4.2. Any other Consignment remaining unclaimed for thirty (30) days after arrival may be disposed of by the Company after giving not less than fifteen (15) days' written notice to the Consignor, Consignee, and any other party known to have an interest in the Consignment.
  • 3.4.3. The proceeds of such disposal shall first be applied towards freight, storage, handling, and other charges due to the Company, with any remaining balance dealt with in accordance with applicable laws.
• 3.5.

  Statutory Compliance & Documentation

  • 3.5.1. The Consignor shall ensure that every Consignment is accompanied by all invoices, permits, E-Way Bills, and any other documents required under applicable laws.
  • 3.5.2. The Company shall not be responsible for any delay, detention, seizure, confiscation, or penalty arising from:
    • a. inaccurate or incomplete declarations;
  • 3.5.3. missing or invalid documentation;
  • 3.5.4. transportation of prohibited or restricted goods; or
  • 3.5.5. non-compliance with any statutory or regulatory requirement.
  • 3.5.6. Any expenses, penalties, or liabilities incurred by the Company as a consequence shall be reimbursed by the Consignor and/or Consignee, as applicable.
  • 3.5.7. The Consignor shall deal directly with the relevant statutory authorities regarding any incorrect declaration or documentation.
  • 3.5.8. The Consignor and/or Consignee shall be responsible for responding to, and resolving, any notice, enquiry, demand, or proceedings relating to a GC Note issued by any Government, tax, regulatory, or statutory authority. The Company shall not be responsible for any liability arising from such proceedings, except to the extent directly attributable to its own acts or omissions.
• 3.6.

  Limitation of Liability

  • 3.6.1. Subject to applicable laws and these Terms, the Company's liability for any loss of, damage to, or deterioration of a Consignment shall be as described as set out in Clause 8.2 below.
• 3.7.

  Delivery

  • 3.7.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, delivery shall be made at the Company's designated delivery point, warehouse, or branch office at the destination upon payment of all applicable freight and charges. The Consignor accepts the condition that the shipment is being carried by the Company to the destination specified on the Waybill. The Consignee shall arrange prompt collection of the Consignment.
  • 3.7.2. In the event that the Consignment requires rerouting, redirection, or return for any reason whatsoever, the Consignor and/or Consignee (subject to the agreed payment terms as per clause 5.6.1) shall pay all charges levied by the Company for such rerouting, redirection, or return as per the normal schedule of the Company, in addition to any GST, customs duties, warehousing charge, freight charges, taxes, import duties, etc. applicable thereon.
  • 3.7.3. Delivery shall be evidenced by a duly signed physical or electronic Proof of Delivery (POD). In the absence of manifest error, the Company's delivery records shall constitute conclusive evidence of delivery.
  • 3.7.4. No open delivery of packages shall be permitted.
  • 3.7.5. Where a Consignment has been delivered against the relevant GC Note, Waybill, Proof of Delivery (POD), or to the Consignee or its authorised representative, the Company shall not be liable for any subsequent allegation of wrongful delivery, unless such delivery resulted from the Company's proven negligence or wilful misconduct.
• 3.8.

  Freight, Charges & General Lien

  • 3.8.1. All freight, handling, hamali, storage, and other applicable charges shall be payable in accordance with the booking terms.
  • 3.8.2. The Company reserves the right to exercise a General Lien over any Consignment in its possession for the recovery of any outstanding freight, storage charges, or other sums due from the Consignor or Consignee, whether relating to that Consignment or any previous transaction(s).
• 3.9.

  Verification of Weight & Freight

  • 3.9.1. The Company reserves the right to re-weigh, re-measure, or reclassify any Consignment where necessary.
  • 3.9.2. Where any discrepancy is identified, the applicable freight and charges may be revised accordingly, and any additional amount shall become payable before delivery.
• 3.10.

  Claims & Notification

  • 3.10.1. Any claim relating to loss, damage, shortage, or non-delivery of a Consignment shall be notified to the Company in writing within:
  • 3.10.2. seven (7) days from the date of delivery; or
  • 3.10.3. thirty (30) days from the date of booking, whichever occurs earlier.
  • 3.10.4. Claims received after this period may not be entertained.
• 3.11.

  Force Majeure

  • 3.11.1. The Company shall not be liable for any delay, interruption, or failure to perform its obligations where such delay or failure results from a Force Majeure event beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, floods, fire, accidents, riots, strikes, civil disturbances, Government action, epidemics, pandemics, cyber incidents, fuel shortages, infrastructure disruptions, or any other event beyond the Company's reasonable control.
  • 3.11.2. Transit times communicated by the Company are estimates only unless expressly agreed in writing under a Service Level Agreement (SLA). The Company shall not be liable for any loss arising solely from delays caused by a Force Majeure event.

4. Booking Types

• 4.1.

  Owner's Risk Bookings

  • 4.1.1. Unless expressly booked as a Carrier's Risk Consignment, every Consignment shall be accepted and transported at the Owner's Risk.
  • 4.1.2. Owner's Risk bookings do not relieve the Company of its obligation to exercise reasonable care during transportation. However, the Company shall not be responsible for loss or damage arising from the inherent nature of the goods, inadequate packing, improper loading, concealed defects, or any other cause beyond its reasonable control.
  • 4.1.3. The Company strongly recommends that the Consignor obtain adequate transit insurance for all high-value, fragile, or otherwise sensitive Consignments.
• 4.2.

  Carrier's Risk Bookings

  • 4.2.1. A Consignment may be accepted at the Carrier's Risk only where:
    • a. the nature and value of the Consignment are fully declared by the Consignor;
    • b. such value is recorded in the GC Note; and
    • c. the applicable Carrier's Risk charges have been paid.
    • d. Carrier's Risk charges shall be levied at the prevailing rate notified by the Company at the time of booking.
  • 4.2.2. Acceptance of a Consignment at the Carrier's Risk shall not extend the Company's liability beyond the value declared in the GC Note, nor shall it apply where loss or damage results from:
    • a. inadequate or defective packing;
    • b. inherent vice or deterioration of the goods;
    • c. improper loading or unloading by the Consignor or Consignee;
    • d. inaccurate declarations;
    • e. Force Majeure events; or
    • f. any circumstance excluded under these Terms.
  • 4.2.3. The Company may inspect the Consignment in order to ascertain the article-count therein or weight thereof. The Company may also conduct any other physical inspection of the Consignment. Whether or not such inspection is carried out shall not affect the Company's liability under these Terms.
• 4.3.

  Acceptance of Terms

  • 4.3.1. Every booking made with the Company shall constitute acceptance of these Terms & Conditions, whether or not the GC Note has been physically signed.
  • 4.3.2. No employee, representative, booking agent, or franchise partner shall have the authority to vary these Terms unless expressly authorised in writing by the Company.

5. Full Truck Load (FTL) Bookings

The following provisions apply in addition to all other Terms contained in this document.

• 5.1.

  Freight Basis

  • 5.1.1. FTL freight shall be calculated according to the carrying capacity of the vehicle booked, irrespective of the actual quantity loaded.
  • 5.1.2. Under no circumstances shall a vehicle be loaded beyond its legally permitted payload or dimensions.
• 5.2.

  Loading & Unloading

  • 5.2.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all loading and unloading arrangements shall be the responsibility of the Consignor and Consignee respectively.
  • 5.2.2. Associated labour, equipment, and handling charges shall be borne by the responsible party.
• 5.3.

  Vehicle Detention

  Where a vehicle is detained during loading, unloading, or by any statutory authority for reasons not attributable to the Company, detention charges at the Company's prevailing rates shall become payable by the Consignor or Consignee, as applicable. This clause shall also apply to Carrier’s Risk bookings.

• 5.4.

  Documentation

  • 5.4.1. The Consignor must provide complete and accurate documentation required for transportation, including invoices, permits, E-Way Bills, and any other statutory documents.
  • 5.4.2. Where a vehicle is detained or seized owing to incomplete, inaccurate, or invalid documentation, the Consignor and/or Consignee shall be responsible for securing its release and reimbursing the Company for all resulting costs, losses, and liabilities.
• 5.5.

  Vehicle Access

  • 5.5.1. Where the delivery location cannot be reached owing to narrow roads, restricted access, no-entry regulations, low overhead clearances, or similar physical constraints, delivery shall be deemed complete when the vehicle reaches the nearest reasonably accessible location.
  • 5.5.2. Any onward handling, unloading, or transportation required thereafter shall be arranged and paid for by the Consignee unless otherwise agreed.
• 5.6.

  Payment Terms

  • 5.6.1. FTL bookings may be accepted on either a Paid or To Pay basis.
  • 5.6.2. For To Pay bookings, all freight and applicable charges shall become immediately due upon unloading of the Consignment at the destination.
• 5.7.

  Non-Delivery

  • 5.7.1. Any claim relating to the non-delivery of an FTL Consignment must be notified to the Company in writing within twenty (20) days from the date of booking.
  • 5.7.2. Failure to notify the Company within this period may affect the Company's ability to investigate the claim.

6. Freight, Storage & Payment

• 6.1.

  Freight & Additional Charges

  • 6.1.1. Freight charges shall be payable in accordance with the rates agreed at the time of booking.
  • 6.1.2. Unless expressly stated otherwise, freight does not include loading, unloading, hamali, detention, storage, taxes, or any other incidental charges.
• 6.2.

  Taxes

  Goods and Services Tax (GST) and any other applicable Government taxes, duties, or statutory levies shall be payable by the Consignor or Consignee, as applicable.

• 6.3.

  Fuel & Infrastructure Surcharges

  The Company may revise applicable Fuel Surcharges (FSC), Toll Surcharges (TSC), or similar operational surcharges from time to time in response to changes in diesel prices, toll charges, Government levies, or operating costs.

• 6.4.

  Storage

  • 6.4.1. Unless otherwise notified by the Company:
  • 6.4.2. Free storage of up to seven (7) days shall apply at Bengaluru, Kerala, and other notified metro hub locations.
  • 6.4.3. Free storage of up to fifteen (15) days shall apply at all other locations across India.
  • 6.4.4. Storage charges shall become payable at the Company's prevailing rates as notified or amended from time to time, once the applicable free storage period has expired.
• 6.5.

  Unclaimed Consignments

  • 6.5.1. Where a Consignment remains unclaimed after the applicable storage period, the Company may continue to levy storage charges until delivery, return, rebooking, or disposal of the Consignment in accordance with these Terms.
  • 6.5.2. Where an unclaimed Consignment is rebooked at the request of the Consignor or Consignee, it shall be accepted on an "as is, where is" basis from the Company's designated location, and the Company shall not be responsible for any deterioration or damage occurring prior to such rebooking.

7. Prohibited Goods

• 7.1.

  Goods Not Accepted for Carriage

  • 7.1.1. The Company reserves the right to refuse any Consignment that is prohibited, restricted, or otherwise unsuitable for transportation by road under applicable laws or these Terms.
  • 7.1.2. Without limitation, the following shall not be accepted unless expressly agreed in writing by the Company and permitted by law:
    • a. explosives, fireworks, and explosive substances;
    • b. arms, ammunition, and other prohibited weapons;
    • c. narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and other illegal contraband;
    • d. hazardous, flammable, corrosive, or toxic chemicals;
    • e. radioactive materials;
    • f. compressed gases and gas cylinders;
    • g. liquid chemicals or powders requiring specialised handling;
    • h. gold, bullion, currency, or other valuables;
    • i. prohibited wildlife products; and
    • j. any other goods whose transportation is prohibited or restricted under applicable laws.
  • 7.1.3. Acceptance of a Consignment for booking shall not be construed as confirmation that its contents comply with applicable laws.
  • 7.1.4. Notwithstanding the above, the Company reserves the right to refuse any Consignment that does not conform to these Terms.
• 7.2.

  Inspection of Consignments

  • 7.2.1. PRL reserves the right to, but shall not have the obligation to, inspect, open, or verify any Consignment where required for operational, security, or statutory reasons.
  • 7.2.2. Where any prohibited, dangerous, or illegally declared goods are discovered, the Company may refuse transportation, suspend delivery, or handover the Consignment to the appropriate Government authority without prior notice.
  • 7.2.3. Any resulting costs, penalties, or liabilities shall be borne by the Consignor.

8. Liability & Indemnity

• 8.1.

  Customer Responsibilities

  • 8.1.1. The Consignor warrants that:
  • 8.1.2. all information provided at the time of booking is true, complete, and accurate;
  • 8.1.3. the Consignment has been properly packed, labelled, and prepared for transportation;
  • 8.1.4. the goods comply with all applicable laws and regulations; and
  • 8.1.5. all statutory documentation accompanying the Consignment is valid and complete.
  • 8.1.6. The Consignor shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Company against any loss, damage, liability, penalty, claim, or expense arising from any breach of these obligations.
• 8.2.

  Company's Liability

  • 8.2.1. Subject to these Terms and applicable laws, PRL's liability shall be limited to the lowest of: (a) the value declared in the GC Note; or (b) The actual amount of loss or damage sustained to the Consignment.
    • a. The actual value of the Consignment shall be ascertained by reference to the cost of preparation or replacement/reconstruction value at the time and place of shipment;
    • b. The actual value of a parcel (which term shall include any item of commercial value which is transported hereunder) shall be ascertained by reference to its cost by repair or replacement/resale or fair market value not exceeding the original cost of the article actually paid by the Consignor subject to the lower of the amount so determined.
  • 8.2.2. The Company shall not be liable for:
    • a. indirect, incidental, or consequential loss;
    • b. loss of profits, revenue, contracts, or business opportunity;
    • c. loss of goodwill or reputation;
    • d. delays not directly attributable to the Company's negligence;
    • e. deterioration arising from the inherent nature of the goods;
    • f. acts or omissions of the Consignor or Consignee or any other party claiming an interest in the Consignment or any other person;
    • g. circumstances constituting Force Majeure.
    • h. loss or damage caused through strikes, riots, political, and other disturbances such as fire, explosions, accident of the vehicle carrying the goods, or anything beyond the control of the Company;
    • i. Government officials in discharge of their official duties such as Customs/GST inspection, etc;
    • j. The nature of the shipment or any defective characteristics or inherent vice therein; or
    • k. Electrical or magnetic injury erasure or other such damages to photographic images or recording in any form.
• 8.3.

  General Lien

  • 8.3.1. Without prejudice to any other right available under law, PRL shall have a General Lien over any Consignment or other goods in its possession for the recovery of:
    • a. unpaid freight;
    • b. storage charges;
    • c. detention charges;
    • d. handling charges;
    • e. Central, State, and local taxes, duties, and levies; or
    • f. any other amount lawfully due from the Consignor or Consignee.
  • 8.3.2. The Company may retain possession of the Consignment until all outstanding amounts have been paid in full.

9. General Provisions

• 9.1.

  Data Privacy

  • 9.1.1. The Company collects and processes personal information relating to Consignors, Consignees, and their authorised representatives solely for the purposes of booking, transportation, delivery, billing, statutory compliance, and customer service.
  • 9.1.2. Such information shall be processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws and the Company's Privacy Policy
• 9.2.

  Franchise & Branch Network

  • 9.2.1. These Terms apply equally to every Consignment booked, handled, or delivered through any branch, hub, or authorised franchise partner operating on behalf of the Company.
  • 9.2.2. Authorised franchise partners act solely within the scope of the authority granted by the Company.
• 9.3.

  Transit Times

  • 9.3.1. Any transit time communicated by the Company is an estimate only unless expressly agreed in writing under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) or other written contract.
  • 9.3.2. Except where required by law or expressly agreed in writing, transit times shall not constitute a guarantee of delivery.
• 9.4.

  Electronic Records

  • 9.4.1. The Company may maintain booking records, Proofs of Delivery (PODs), acknowledgements, invoices, and other operational records in electronic form.
  • 9.4.2. Electronic records maintained in the ordinary course of business shall, unless proven otherwise, constitute valid evidence of the relevant transaction.
• 9.5.

  Severability

  Where any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

• 9.6.

  Waiver

  Any failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or of any other rights available to the Company.

10. Grievance Redressal & Dispute Resolution

• 10.1.

  Customer Support

  • 10.1.1. Service requests, complaints, and claims may be raised through the originating branch, the Company's Customer Support, or such other communication channels as may be notified by the Company from time to time.
  • 10.1.2. PRL shall endeavour to acknowledge and address all genuine complaints within a reasonable period.
• 10.2.

  Governing Law

  These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India.

• 10.3.

  Jurisdiction

  Subject to Clause 10.4, the courts at Bengaluru, Karnataka, shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising out of or relating to these Terms or any Consignment carried by the Company.

• 10.4.

  Dispute Resolution

  • 10.4.1. The parties shall first endeavour to resolve any dispute amicably through mutual discussions.
  • 10.4.2. Where such efforts do not result in a resolution, within thirty (30) days of initiation of such mutual discussions, or within an extended timeline mutually agreed between the parties, one or both of the parties shall refer the dispute to arbitration to a sole arbitrator in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, as amended from time to time.
  • 10.4.3. The seat and venue of arbitration shall be Bengaluru, Karnataka. The proceedings shall be conducted in the English language, and the arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.

11. Amendments

• 11.1. The Company may revise these Terms from time to time.
• 11.2. The version in effect on the date of booking, identified by the Version number and the Effective Date (or Last Updated date, where applicable) published on the Company's website or displayed at its branches and authorised booking locations, shall govern the relevant Consignment.
• 11.3. Customers are encouraged to review the latest version of these Terms before booking a Consignment.