Traffic rules to get stricter from March 1 in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Saturday said traffic rules under the amended Motor Vehicles Act will be strictly enforced from March 1 in the state.

Transports Minister Padmanabha Behera said that wearing helmets for pillion riders and seat belts for occupants in four-wheelers will be mandatory in the state.

He said traffic rules under the new MV Act 2019 will be strictly enforced after the completion of the three-month relaxation period from March 1.

The Odisha government had on November 28 extended deadline for enforcement of new traffic rules under the Motor Vehicles Act by three months in view of a huge rush at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state for driving licenses.

The government said the extension is being given for the last time and no further extension will be granted.

Following public outrage over the levying of heavy fines, the government had relaxed implementation of the new traffic rules for three months ending November 30 as a way to allow people time to get their documents ready to comply with the traffic norms.