The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has set new speed limits on Indian roads. The Ministry has finally decided to increase the speed limits on the roads, highways and expresseways. The speed on national highways and four lanes has been increased from 60kmph to 80kmph. The new speed limit set for Mumbai-Pune express highway is 100kmph. Other roads like arterial roads, urban roads, urban distributor roads, major district roads, etc. will have maximum speed limit of 50kmph whereas the access roads will have a maximum speed limit of 30kmph.
With new cars being launched on the road and existing cars being made better each day, it was a much needed call from the Ministry. The cars have gotten much faster and safer than before. Thus, an increase in speed limits will enable drivers to reach their destinations faster than before. The speed limits have been increased for the first time since 1989. The motoring lobby welcomes the move as an “expansion of freedom in a over-regulated country".
"It was absurd that we have speed limits of 60 kph on many expressways. I mean you cannot get a decent car into fifth gear with speeds that low," said Murad Ali Baig, a motoring columnist. "The modern cars sold in India have seat belts, most meet global crash test norms and we will see anti lock braking systems being made mandatory pretty soon. Doing 100 kph is no big deal for modern cars," he added.
