‘No One Can Escape Cameras’: Nitin Gadkari Admits to Being Fined Twice for Traffic Violations in Mumbai
‘No One Can Escape Cameras’: Nitin Gadkari Admits to Being Fined Twice for Traffic Violations in Mumbai
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, revealed on Tuesday that even he has not been spared by the traffic enforcement system, having been fined twice in Mumbai for violating traffic rules. Speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Gadkari used his personal experience to highlight the increasing role of technology in ensuring road discipline.
“With cameras and scanners now installed everywhere, no one can escape penalties. It may surprise you, but even I have received two challans of Rs 500 each in Mumbai,” said Gadkari. He added that the fines were issued while he was using his car in the city during the Worli-Bandra Sea Link project.
Gadkari dismissed the notion that high traffic fines are meant to generate government revenue. “These fines are not for income—they are for discipline. If people follow traffic rules, they won’t have to pay a single rupee,” he said, emphasizing that compliance is the goal.
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, introduced in 2019, significantly increased fines and penalties for traffic violations. Despite this, the desired impact remains elusive. Road accident fatalities rose from 1.59 lakh in 2019 to 1.68 lakh in 2022, reflecting a 6% increase.
Gadkari also underscored the government’s push toward smarter enforcement using advanced technology. “Law enforcement agencies are now leveraging artificial intelligence and other modern technologies to improve monitoring and ensure road safety,” he said, adding that modern engineering and technology must go hand in hand with enforcement.
The minister reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility and stressed that strict adherence to traffic rules is crucial for reducing accidents and saving lives.
