Cab associations oppose speed governor rule

The Transport Department​’s move to make speed governors mandatory in al cars with a capacity of carrying eight persons has met with opposition from several associations.

The Centre had amended the Motor Vehicles Act, exempting four-wheelers with a carrying capacity of seven passengers and a driver from installing speed governors. “However, the Centre issued another notification in May 2017 removing the exemption following which we had to make the proposal for mandatory speed governors in such vehicles,” a senior official in the transport department said.

Bengaluru Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association president Radhakrishna Holla, however, opposed the move citing that the transport department has allowed only two companies to instal speed governors. “This has led to exorbitant price. It will also lead to monopoly of two companies,” he said.

Officials in the Transport Department admitted that it will lead to “unhealthy competition”. “We have already written to the government recommending that all companies be allowed to install the governors to make the gadgets affordable,” an official said.