In a decisive step to improve road safety, the Government of Tripura has issued a new notification revising the speed limits for various categories of motor vehicles across the state.
The move follows significant improvements in the state’s road infrastructure, including the expansion of National Highways from one to six, and upgrades to State Highways, District Roads, and rural routes.
Issued under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the notification cites a sharp rise in vehicle registrations and identifies over-speeding and rash driving as major causes of road accidents. It also emphasizes the need for speed regulations suited to the state’s diverse terrain and population density, especially considering the unique geographical conditions of the North Eastern Region.
Under the revised limits, vehicle speeds have been categorized based on both road type and terrain (plain or hilly areas):
Four-lane & divided National Highways:
Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs): up to 100 km/hr (plains), 80 km/hr (hills)
Medium & Heavy Vehicles: up to 70 km/hr (plains), 60 km/hr (hills)
Two-lane National & State Highways:
LMVs: 60 km/hr (plains), 45 km/hr (hills)
Medium & Heavy Vehicles: 50 km/hr (plains), 35 km/hr (hills)
Major District Roads:
LMVs: 50 km/hr (plains), 40 km/hr (hills)
Medium & Heavy Vehicles: 40 km/hr (plains), 30 km/hr (hills)
Municipal & Urban Areas:
LMVs: 35 km/hr (plains), 25 km/hr (hills)
Medium & Heavy Vehicles: 25 km/hr (plains), 20 km/hr (hills)
Panchayat / Village Roads:
All vehicles: 35 km/hr (plains), 25 km/hr (hills)
In addition, sensitive zones such as school areas, hospitals, and marketplaces will enforce stricter speed limits of 25 km/hr in plains and 20 km/hr in hilly regions.
Officials stated that the new speed caps are designed to minimize road mishaps and ensure smoother traffic movement while balancing the demands of modern road networks with safety priorities.
