Transport minister Nitin Gadkari defends new Motor Vehicles Act

Transport minister Nitin Gadkari has been responding to the harsh criticism over the steep fines for traffic violations under the new Motor Vehicles Act 2019. Last month, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had notified the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, and they were implemented in several states from September 1. But they have not gone down well with most citizens. This is what the minister had to say in defence of its implementation.

"It is not the responsibility of just the central govt to save people's lives, but also of state govts."

"States have the right to reduce fines under new Motor Vehicles Act. The Motor Vehicle Act is in our concurrent list, in which both state and Centre governments have the right to formulate the law. Fines vary as per violation, and states have the right to take the decision."

"Over 30 per cent driving licences were bogus earlier, which is now changing. All this could lead to a lesser number of deaths due to accidents."

"This is not politically motivated, we just wish to save the lives of people."

"The Act is not here to earn revenue, but to save lives."

"People are complaining about the higher penalties, even I have been fined for over speeding on the Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai, as the car was registered under my name."