Nitin Gadkari admits he has paid a fine for speeding as well

Amid concern over the hefty fines for traffic violations, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said even he has been fined for speeding on the Bandra-Worli sealink in Mumbai.

Talking to reporters about the major decisions of the Modi-led government in its first 100 days, Mr. Gadkari said abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir was the "most important achievement" of the government.

Criminalisation of instant triple talaq and the amended motor vehicles law were some of the big achievements of the Centre, he said.

"Even I have paid a fine for speeding on the Bandra-Worli sealink," Mr. Gadkari said adding that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his cabinet collegaue Gen V.K. Singh also got speeding challans.

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," Mr. Gadkari said.

Claiming that overspending on fines has helped people to adhere to traffic rules, Mr. Gadkari said: "For the new over speeding rules all are equal be it lawyers, doctors or politicians. We have increased the fines to save lives of lakhs of motorists."

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

Amendment of MV Act will improve road safety and reduce the number of road accidents and lives lost on roads, Mr. Gadkari said.