AMN / MUMBAI

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today asserted that hefty fines for traffic rule violations were aimed at curbing road accidents.

Gadkari said stringent rules were “much needed” as people had taken traffic laws very lightly and there was neither fear nor respect for law.

Minister was addressing a press conference in Mumbai to highlight the achievements of the NDA government in its first 100 days..

Minister said that intelligent traffic system does not discriminate between violators of law whether it is a Central Minister, Chief Minister, Bureaucrat or a Journalist.

There should be no fear of hefty “challans” if someone is abiding by the law.

“Even I have paid a fine for speeding on the sealink,” Gadkari said.

The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, approved by President Ram Nath Kovind last month, aims at stricter punishment for violation of traffic regulations and to bring discipline on roads.

“Passing the MV Act amendment is a big achievement for our government. The high fines will lead to transparency, and (will) not result in corruption,” Gadkari said.

The Minister said road engineering is a reason, along with auto engineering, for the high incidents of accidents in India.