New Delhi : Dec 11: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that only 5% of the total 21.8 million transport vehicles in India are equipped with speed-limiting devices. Gadkari was responding to a query from Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil of Gujarat, who had raised concerns about the installation of speed governors in transport vehicles.
Gadkari clarified that under the law, all transport vehicles manufactured after October 2015 are required to have a speed-limiting device, also known as a speed governor, either installed by the manufacturer or at the dealership. The speed governor ensures that the vehicle cannot exceed a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour, which is intended to improve road safety and reduce accidents caused by speeding.
The minister also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to enforce traffic laws and improve road safety. Between 2019 and 2023, a total of 180 million e-challans were issued by 31 states and Union Territories for violations of traffic and transport rules. These fines and penalties have resulted in the collection of ₹12,631 crore, signaling the government’s commitment to curbing traffic violations and ensuring safer roads.
Despite these measures, Gadkari’s admission that only 5% of the vehicles are fitted with speed governors suggests a significant gap in the implementation of this important safety feature. The government’s continued focus on enforcement through e-challans and reforms in road safety underscores its priority in addressing the challenges of road safety and traffic management in the country.111
