Road Safety Bill will not encroach upon rights of states: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: Allaying the fears of states, union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari said the proposed road transport and safety bill will not encroach upon their rights. Gadkari was speaking in a meeting of the consultative committee of Parliament. The new bill, which is expected to be discussed in the Budget session of Parliament, talks about setting up of a national road safety authority accountable to the central government.

The bill also proposes setting up of state safety authorities which will work on the directions given by the national authority. The bill plans to start a unified driver licensing system to reduce the duplication of licences from regional transport offices. Some of these features in the road safety bill have raised concerns among states over dilution of their authority. Gadkari said the new bill aims to include safety in construction, design, maintenance and use of motor vehicles and roads as a major component.