Tripura, a state in northeastern India, has implemented new speed limits on its roads in an effort to reduce the number of road accidents and improve overall safety for motorists. The decision comes as the state has seen a rapid expansion of its transport infrastructure, with the addition of several new National Highways and upgrades to existing roads.
The state government’s notification, issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, aims to address the rising number of road accidents attributed to speeding and reckless driving. With the introduction of the new speed limits, officials hope to bring speed regulations in line with Tripura’s changing traffic conditions and diverse terrain.
According to the revised limits, light motor vehicles are now allowed to travel at speeds of up to 100 km/hr on four-lane National Highways in plains areas and 80 km/hr in hilly regions. Medium and heavy vehicles on the same roads are restricted to speeds of 70 km/hr and 60 km/hr, respectively.
On two-lane highways, light vehicles are limited to speeds of 60 km/hr in plains and 45 km/hr in hills, while medium and heavy vehicles can travel at speeds of up to 50 km/hr and 35 km/hr. Major District Roads have speed limits of 50 km/hr for light vehicles in plains and 40 km/hr in hills, with heavier vehicles capped at 40 km/hr and 30 km/hr.
In urban and municipal areas, stricter speed controls have been put in place, with light motor vehicles limited to 35 km/hr in plains and 25 km/hr in hilly areas. Medium and heavy vehicles must adhere to speeds of 25 km/hr and 20 km/hr, respectively. Panchayat or village roads have a uniform speed limit of 35 km/hr in plains and 25 km/hr in hills for all vehicles.
Special restrictions have also been imposed near schools, hospitals, and markets, where the speed limit is set at 25 km/hr in plains and 20 km/hr in hilly areas.
The Transport Department has stated that these new speed limits are necessary to accommodate the increasing traffic volume in the state while ensuring the safety of motorists on both upgraded highways and narrow rural roads. Authorities have warned of strict enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the new regulations in the coming weeks.
