Last Updated: September 06, 2022, 22:04 IST
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari answered questions surrounding death of former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry. (Image: Twitter)
Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said Cyrus Mistry’s tragic death was a new lesson and road safety was the highest agenda of the country now
Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said road safety was the “highest agenda” for the country as he answered questions surrounding the tragic death of former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry in a car accident near Mumbai. The minister said Mistry was a “close friend” and the incident was a new lesson in how road safety was viewed in a country, where belt regulations in the rear seat were not being followed as per the law.
“It will be too early to make any comments on the reason of the accident. But, his accident is unfortunate. Cyrus Mistry was a close friend of mine… Will find out the reason and rectify the things, but presently we don’t have any reports. One thing is very important, road safety is highest agenda for the country and this incident is teaching us a new lesson,” Gadkari told CNN-News18.
Gadkari said a law already existed mandating the wearing of seat belt in the back, but a fine of Rs 1,000 will be introduced so as to enforce the rule in a more stringent manner. He added that before the end of 2024, reducing 50 per cent accidents and 50 per cent fatalities on the road was difficult but not impossible.
“Actually already there is a law even for people who are sitting in the backseat. Even that is mandatory for them to take the seat belt… In the front side, the driver seat and the driver side seat… if they are not taking seat belt, then there is some sound is there… now we are making/issuing a law by which manufacturer will take that even the back seat people also they are not taking the belt… so there will be a sound for creating awareness in the mind of the people… And if we find people they are not taking the belt then there will be a fine of one thousand rupee whether it is backseat or front seat… Taking fine from the people is not our intention, we want to create awareness between the mind of the people and we have to change the mind of the people that they should respect law there should be a fear for the law that is exactly that the country needs today, because we have to save lives of the people.
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