Kolkata, March 3 (IANS) Over-speeding by commercial vehicles plays a major role in accidental deaths in West Bengal but the state has made no effort to ensure availability and installation of speed governors (speed-limiting device) in commercial vehicles as mandated by the Supreme Court, a central government official said on Thursday.
"Because of improper implementation and lack of enforcement, the desired results for installation of speed governors could not be obtained and achieved, as the state lacked in their intent in the implementation of the speed governor regime and kept on giving relaxation with regard to installation of speed governors," said Kamaljit Soi, member, National Road Safety Council under the road transport and highways ministry told the media here.
Speed governor monitors the speed of a vehicle and controls the vehicle speed within the preset limit.
The installation, for commercial vehicles, was delayed citing non-availability of speed governors in the market with regard to that segment of the motor vehicle, Soi said.
"No effort has, however, been made the state to ensure availability of speed governors to achieve the intent and directions of the Supreme Court as mandated vide its order in PIL No. WPC no 793/2015," he noted.
Soi held a meeting with Bengal's Transport Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay on Wednesday to expedite the matter to ensure the devices are fitted on or before April 1.
"They should at least start the process now," Soi added.
