NEW DELHI: Not being able to get the Road Safety Bill passed in Parliament so far is the only “black spot” in his ministry, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday, expressing hope that it will cross all hurdles and get cleared in the upcoming Budget session.

“It pains me that the proposed Road Safety Bill has been the ‘only black spot’ in the ministry as we have not been able to get it passed despite the same promising widespread reforms. It is on the concurrent list and we seek support from the states for it,” the Road Transport and Highways Minister said at the ET Global Business Summit here.

“I have spoken to many Chief Ministers. We have assured them that we are not taking any powers from the states,” Mr. Gadkari said. The new Road Transport and Safety Bill seeks to come down heavily on traffic offenders and proposes steep penalties of up to Rs. 3 lakh along with a minimum 7-year imprisonment for death of a child in certain circumstances, besides huge fines for driving violations. The Minister said the Government has already taken a decision to form a Road Safety Authority and the matter is pending before the Cabinet. Mr. Gadkari said once the law is enacted, it would overhaul the sector bringing in transparency and curbing malpractices. Unfortunately, India accounts for about 5 lakh road accidents per annum in which 1.5 lakh people die, he said, adding that the Bill aims to bring down fatalities as well as accidents.PTI Unfortunately, India accounts for about 5 lakh road accidents per annum in which 1.5 lakh people die, he said, adding that the Bill aims to bring down fatalities as well as accidents