Unions had moved the High Court seeking extension of time for installation of speed governors after manufacturers failed to provide the same
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Union government to clarify its stand on whether it will allow old model cars to run as black and yellow taxis in Mumbai without the installation of speed governors to keep check on their speed limit.
A division bench of Justice Shantanu Kemkar and Justice MS Karnik, said: "If the manufacturers of these vehicles are unable to provide speed governors, but these vehicles are road-worthy having proper permits and certificates, can they be allowed to ply in such situations? Vehicles like Fiat Padmini, Wagan R, Alto and even tourist buses?"
The government has to reply to this within two weeks.
The direction was given while hearing a bunch of petition filed by Mumbai Taximen's Union and Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana.
Appearing for the taxi union advocate GS Hegde argued that by the notification issued, the government had made it compulsory for all commercial vehicles to install speed governors, limiting the speed limit to 80 kmph. However, the manufacturers are not providing the same. "So, even if we are desirous we are unable to install for non- availability," he said.
To this, Justice Kemkar said, "May not be during the day, but in the night, private vehicles speed on Marine Drive, causing accidents. Should not these private high-end vehicles also be made to install speed governors?"
Hegde defended the cab union by saying that it was not the black and yellow cabs but those driven by cab aggregators like Ola and Uber, who were responsible.
The central government, by way of an amendment in 2014 to the provision 118 of Central Motor Vehicle rules had made it mandatory for all transport vehicles to install speed governors, but some vehicles like black and yellow cabs were then exempted.
However, in May this year, that exception was done away. Thus the unions moved the High Court seeking extension of time for installation after manufacturers failed to provide the same, and to restrain authorities from taking any coercive action.
MORE TIME?
- Unions had moved the High Court seeking extension of time for installation of speed governors after manufacturers failed to provide the same
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