Team Herald
PANJIM: Committed towards implementing the amended Central Motor Vehicle Act in toto and leaving no scope for public ire unlike in other parts of the country, Goa Government has decided to enforce the new stringent traffic rules from January 2020; considering the current worst conditions of the roads across the State.
After conducting a detailed study of the new Rules, set under the amended act, the State Transport department has, however, on Friday moved the file to the Law department for vetting, before making it effective, which they were planning to do from the coming week.
However, the government has now decided to keep its plan of enforcing the stringent rules on the traffic violators on hold, till the present pothole-ridden roads are made convenient enough for safe and secure movement of the travellers.
As per the Act 2019, passed by the Parliament amidst opposition, which contains 63 provisions dealing with penalties, licenses, registration and the National Transport Policy, came into force from September 1.
The new act has enhanced the penalty for unauthorised use of vehicles without licence to Rs 5,000 from Rs 1,000. The penalty for driving without license has gone up to Rs 5,000. A person found involved in drunken driving will be fined up to Rs 10,000 or imprisonment up to 6 months for the first offence, and imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine of Rs 15,000 for the second offence.
For over speeding, the vehicles will be charged between Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000. Similarly, for dangerous driving, on the first offence an imprisonment of six months to one year and/or fine Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000; Subsequent offence (within three years from first offence)- imprisonment up to two years and/or Rs 10,000.
Speaking to HERALD, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said that State has to abide by the central law and there is no excuse for it. “However, each state has been given the freedom to decide on when to implement it. I also want to implement it as early as possible in toto,” he said.
“However, considering the local situation, where people are frustrated and anguished with the worst ever pothole-ridden roads, it will not be wise at this point, to implement such stringent rules,” Godinho added.
Minister said that the pothole ridden roads can be taken up for repair only post monsoons and the work will be completed latest by December. “Only after that, which is from January 2020, we would be in a better position to implement these new rules and crack down on the violators,” he said.
Godinho said that as a government it is our responsibility to ensure that we provide basic infrastructure to our people for their safe rides. “Few states have implemented the Act and we have seen the public reaction. I dont want to leave any such scope in Goa,” he said.
Earlier in the day, when contacted, Director Transport Rajan Satardekar said that State intends to implement the new Act from the coming week and accordingly, the file, after administrative approval has been sent to the law department, on Friday, for vetting. “Once vetted, it will be published in the government gazette and becomes effective from the date of publication. Next week it will be done,” director had said then.
The notification will also give clarity on the delegation of power to compound offences by the violators.
