Centre likely to increase the speed limit on NHs, expressways

The Centre is likely to enhance the speed limit of vehicles on national highways and expressways as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is considering this taking into account of improved vehicle technologies and road infrastructure in the country.

The speed limit for passenger cars on expressways likely to be increased from the existing 100 km per hour to 120 kmph, and on national highways from 80 kmph to 100 kmph, a senior official in the ministry said.

For two wheelers a uniform speed limit of 80kmph on highways and expressways may be fixed while for the buses and trucks, it will be 90kmph on expressways and 80 kmph on national highways.

Earlier, a committee headed by Abhay Damle, a joint secretary in the road transport ministry, submitted a report recommending to increase the speed limit.

To check accidents due to over speeding, the panel also suggested the government to include a feature in the electronic control unit (ECU) in vehicles which will not allow them to run at more than 10% of the maximum permitted speed.

"The government held a discussion on the panel recommendations and is likely to take a decision soon", said an official in the ministry.

Since the government is taking up massive highway building works by widening the exiting two lanes to four or six lanes, increase the speed limit of the vehicles would not be a problem, said the official.

Besides, the government is also embarking to build 1,000 km of access-controlled expressways and works has started in several areas.

Taking serious note of increase road accidents due to faulty road design, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), a nodal agency for development of national highways, has started rectifying the accident spots. Besides, the Road Ministry is also improving system of road design to make it more comfortable to travelers as well as curb accidents roads on highways,said the official.