Road Transport and Safety Bill

The Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2014 envisions to provide a framework for safer, faster, cost-effective and inclusive movement of passengers and freight in India, thus enabling the mission of 'Make In India'. It is currently in draft stage and is prepared by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, which will extend to the whole of India if enacted.^[1][2][3]

The bill proposes to set up the Motor Vehicle Regulation & Road Safety Authority of India, an independent agency for vehicle regulation and road safety which would be legally empowered and accountable to Parliament.

Aim

This act aims to provide a scientifically planned and evolving framework for the safety of all road users in India, including vulnerable road users, and for enabling the seamless development of a secure, efficient, cost-effective, sustainable and inclusive transport system for the movement of passenger and freight in the country as well as matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Salient features

Funding

It proposes innovative financing mechanism for funding safety programs which would save over 200,000 lives in first 5 yrs due to reduction in road traffic accident deaths.

Technology

It proposes adoption of new technology and standards with improved vehicle design for safer travel. It also intends to make spare part cheaper.

Unified Driver Licensing System

The bill proposed a simpler transparent, single window driver licensing system that is based on biometric to avoid duplication. It promises to simplify application and issuance procedures of driver licensing. It proposes private sector participation and usage of automated driving test for increased capacity.

Unified Vehicle Registration System

It proposes a Unified Vehicle Registration System integrating all stakeholders like manufacturer, owner, transport authority, insurer, enforcement agency all in one eco-system with private sector participation in establishing fitness certification centres to create more jobs. It will make transfer of vehicles across states easy using online system.

Road Safety & Traffic Management

Electronic enforcement in urban clusters using modern safety technologies with special emphasis for safety of vulnerable road users, creation of motor accident fund for immediate relief to accident victim special emphasis on safety of school children and security of women.

National Road Transport & Multimodal Coordination Authority

Creation of National Road Transport & Multimodal Coordination Authority for improving quality of road transportation, focus on developing integrated transport systems & multi-modal hubs and feeder system and last mile connectivity for people friendly mobility.

Public passenger Transport

Increasing the share of public passenger transportation, Two-tier permit system: national and intrastate permit and developing & regulating public passenger transport schemes and developing & regulating public passenger transport schemes.

Goods Transport & National Freight Policy

Simplified permits and single portal clearances, identification and development of freight networks, address bottlenecks concerning trucking industry and increase in logistics efficiency will reduce inflation and enable Indian manufacturing to become globally competitive.

Infrastructure & Multimodal Facilitation

Infrastructure for efficient passenger and goods movement, specific provision of infrastructural needs for vulnerable road users, integration across various modes of transport.

Offences and Penalties

Graded penalty point system with enhanced fines will act as a deterrent and improve traffic condition by reducing road rage.

Controversies

Tamil Nadu Government opposed the Road Transport and Safety Bill and asked centre to redraft it as bill encroaches upon the financial, legislative and administrative powers of state governments.^[4][5] A nationwide strike was called by various transport unions on 30 April 2015 to protest against the bill.^[6]

References