Guwahati: The Assam government is expected to cut the speed limit on state roads and highways in the near future.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hinted that the state cabinet would make a decision on vehicle speed limits within a week on Friday.
Sarma said, “With pillions wearing helmets now, accidents in the state have decreased dramatically. The number of accident deaths in the state has decreased by up to 21% after the transportation department made wearing a double helmet when riding a two-wheeler mandatory. Now we want to implement a speed limit to prevent more highway accidents.”
He also stated that the state Cabinet would regulate the speed restrictions on state and national highways in Assam in the near future.
“We’ll probably make a decision on it at the next Cabinet meeting in two or three days. The state government is looking for public support and cooperation in order to succeed in making our highways safer for everyone. You could arrive late, but as long as you’re alive, that’s all that matters,” Sarma added.
He also stated that the state transportation department has brought 12 high-tech interceptor vehicles to the roadways to measure any speed limit violations. According to the CM, these vehicles will catch any car exceeding the speed limit from a distance of one kilometre.
In February of this year, the state cabinet voted to set the speed limit on state roads to a maximum of 100 kilometres per hour.
Only non-transport motor vehicles can drive at a speed of 100 km/h on four-lane roads, according to the judgement.
However, they must decrease their speed to 70 km/h on other routes and to 60 km/h on roads within the municipal limits.
Similarly, transport vehicles carrying eight passengers were limited to 80 km/h on four-lane roads, 60 km/h on other roads, and 50 km/h on municipal roads. Other passenger and goods-carrying vehicles in the state have also been given speed limits.
The cabinet had decided that on four-lane roads, two-wheelers would be allowed to go at a maximum speed of 60 kilometres per hour. Motorcycles were allowed to travel at 50 km/h on other routes and within city limits.