Cars can go up to 70 kmph in cities as Transport Min Nitin Gadkari clears proposal for capping speed limit on urban roads

The Union Government has finally given the green signal to increase the maximum speed limit on urban roads at 70 km per hour (kmph) for cars, 60 kmph for cargo carriers and 50 kmph for two-wheelers. The state governments or local authorities can specify reduced speed limits for the different category keeping the safety of other road users in mind.

Till now, the transport ministry used to set up the national maximum speed limit for different categories of vehicles. Because of this, many roads where local authorities have not set up a speed limit would be left out.

The maximum speed allowed by the local authorities on roads in urban areas ranges around 40-50 kmph. The change in the speed was needed as thire has been major changes in the cities infrastructure including the construction of ring roads and arterial stretches. 

“Since the state and its agencies have full authority to reduce the limit, they can now decide on which stretches they can allow vehicles to ply at the limit set by the Centre,” an official said. 

Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday cleared the proposal for capping the speed limit for all types of vehicles on four categories of roads. A committee headed by joint secretary (transport) Abhay Damle had recommended higher speed limits on expressways and for buses on highways