Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has suggested introducing a 20% tolerance limit before issuing speeding challans on expressways. The proposal is intended to provide relief to motorists who exceed the prescribed speed limit by a small margin.
Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) National Conference on Highways of India’s Future, Gadkari said drivers travelling at speeds of up to 120 kmph should not receive speeding notices. He also suggested that motorists exceeding this limit by up to 20% should be exempt from penalties.
Under this proposed approach, vehicles travelling on an expressway with a speed limit of 120 kmph would face speeding challans only when their speed crosses 144 kmph. However, this is only a proposal and does not indicate an official increase in the existing speed limit. Drivers must continue following the currently prescribed restrictions until the government introduces any formal changes through rules or official notifications.
Gadkari Warns Contractors Against Poor Highway Construction
During the conference, Gadkari also highlighted concerns about the quality of highway construction and road maintenance in India. He warned that contractors and consultants responsible for poor-quality work could face strict action, including blacklisting, financial penalties and restrictions on participating in future projects.
The minister made it clear that those responsible for damaged roads, potholes and poorly maintained highway sections would be held accountable.
He also encouraged citizens and motorists to report road damage and maintenance problems through social media platforms. According to Gadkari, complaints shared online have helped authorities identify defective road sections and take necessary corrective measures. He further claimed that monitoring efforts had contributed to a 30% decline in highway quality-related problems.
Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways are deploying Network Survey Vehicles to inspect road conditions and record defects, including potholes and other infrastructure problems.
AI-Based Traffic Monitoring Systems Planned for Highways
Gadkari also called for wider adoption of artificial intelligence-powered Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) across the country’s highway network. He urged industry representatives to contribute towards implementing these technologies to improve traffic monitoring and enforcement.
The proposed AI-based systems are expected to detect various traffic violations, including improper lane driving, riding without helmets and failure to follow seatbelt regulations.
The initiative aims to strengthen highway surveillance, improve compliance with traffic rules and make roads safer for motorists. The adoption of advanced monitoring technology is also expected to help authorities identify violations more effectively and improve overall traffic management.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general news and informational purposes only. The proposed 20% speed-limit tolerance is based on the minister’s reported remarks and should not be considered an officially implemented rule. Motorists should follow existing traffic regulations and refer to official government notifications for the latest updates. The publication does not provide legal advice.