He said taximen who are opposing meters and GPS systems will also be given relief. According to Dhavalikar, the plan is to have meters installed at the manufacturing level. “If these are installed at the manufacturing level, there will be no problem", Dhavalikar said.
PANAJI
In a tough message to two-wheeler riders, Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Saturday said
fines for riding without a helmet would be increased from Rs 100 to Rs 1000.
Dhavalikar said the central government’s plans of amending the Motor Vehicles Act would see higher fines and stronger measures for taxis.
Speaking at a distribution ceremony of helmets to members of the All Goa Motorcycle Taxi Riders Association as part of the Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera initiative, Dhavalikar said a major chunk of accidents in the State involved two-wheelers.
“Across India, there are 1.40 lakh people that die in accidents. 70 per cent of these involve two wheelers. In Goa, this is 60 per cent. It is the responsibility of every rider to wear a helmet and not the duty of traffic police to enforce it,” he said.
“Today, people have the habit of not wearing helmets and instead willingly pay Rs 100 as fine. They will now feel the pinch if they have to pay Rs 1000,” he said.
Dhavalikar also said there was need to convert state district roads into four lanes which could reduce the number of accidents. He also favoured concrete roads than those of tar as they had longer durability.
With the amendment of the Act, the recruitment of Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors, currently a complex process, will also be resolved he said.
