Bharat Stage-IV emission norms for four wheelers to be extended to 11 mega cities and Bharat III norms throughout the country

PROPOSAL FOR 1% OF TOTAL PROCEEDS OF CESS ON DIESEL AND PETROL FOR ROAD SAFETY FUND AT ADVANCED STAGE

THIRU BAALU ADDRESSES PARLIAMENTARY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu has said that Bharat Stage-IV emission norms for four wheeled vehicles are proposed to be extended to eleven identified mega cities and Bharat Stage-III emission norms throughout the country from 1st April 2010. Speaking at the 18th meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament attached to his Ministry here today, the Minister said that the Department of Road Transport and Highways is in the process of notifying the rules very soon.

The topic for discussion at today’s meeting was ‘Road Safety’. Thiru Baalu said that the Government would take all possible steps expeditiously to improve road safety scenario in the country.

Stating that the expansion in road network, motorization and urbanization in the country has been accompanied by a rise in road accidents, the Minister informed that during the year 2006, there were around 4.6 lakh road accidents which killed 1,05,749 people and injured close to 5.00 lakh persons in India. He said that these numbers translate into one road accident every minute and one road accident death every five minutes for India. At the prices of year 2000, it amounted to 3% of GDP which in financial terms comes to Rs. 55,000 crore per year, he said.

Thiru Baalu said that the challenge before us is adopt the multipronged approach to road safety that encompasses broad range of measures, such as traffic management, design and quality of road infrastructure, safer vehicles, law enforcement, provision of accident care, etc.

The Minister said that the Sundar Committee’S proposal for earmarking of minimum 1% of total proceeds of cess on diesel and petrol for Road Safety Fund is at advanced stage of approval. Similarly, the Committee’s proposal for creation of an apex body, the National Raod Safety & Traffic management Board at national level is also being processed at the highest level.

Thiru Baalu said that the Committee to look into the matter of promotion of road safety in Educational Institutions through ‘Road Safety Clubs’ has given its report and a scheme costing Rs.120 crore during the 11th Plan period has been formulated and sent to the Planning Commission for their approval. He said that the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee has recently recommended that the adequate importance should be given to the fact that road safety should be taught at early stages of life and schools and school children should be involved in spreading awareness for road safety.

The Minister also informed that the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee has submitted its report to the Parliament after examining the comprehensive proposal for amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and has endorsed all the amendments proposed by the Government with certain modifications. “We are trying to introduce the revised Bill in the ensuing Monsoon Session of Parliament” the Minister said and added that the proposed amendments contain a number of provisions which would help in checking incidents of road accidents.

Giving highlights of the proposals he said that the penalties for various traffic offences are proposed to be enhanced substantially to make it more deterrent. “We have proposed that the authorized enforcement authorities may suspend on the spot the driving licence of a drunken driver for a period upto three months and we are also proposing to introduce civil liabilities of a driver by providing penalty up to Rs.5,000/- if one drives motor vehicle in a rash or negligent manner, causing injury to a person or damage to property” he said.

The Minister said that the amount of compensation is being increased and it has also been provided that interim compensation to the tune of Rs.1,00,000/- in the case of death or permanent total disablement and Rs.50,000/- in the case of permanent partial disablement shall be paid within three months from the date of filing the application in the Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT) or civil court. “We are also providing that the MACT or civil court shall make endeavour to finally dispose off the claim for compensation within a period of two years from the date of its filing’ Thiru Baalu informed.

He also informed the Members that we are in the process of designing suitable model of Inspection and Maintenance centers to be set up by the State Governments for rigorous inspection of motor vehicles. Central Government will provide financial assistance to the States for setting up of Inspection and Maintenance centers through capital grant.

The Members who attended the meeting were:- S/Shri Subhash Maharia, Vinod Khanna, S. Ajaya Kumar, Kamala Prasad, Laxman Rao Patil, Hari Kewal Prasad, Brahmananda Panda, Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Rishang Keishing, Jai Prakash Aggarwal, Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy, Mohd. Ali Khan and Ms. Mabel Rebello and Ms. Sushila Tiriya.