Yesterday the Tamil Nadu (TN) Government spoke about setting up the Accident Prevention Compensation and Toll Fee Fund. Under the accident prevention efforts, speed governors will be installed in long distance express buses. A speed governor or a speed limiter is a device used to measure and regulate the speed of a machine, such as an engine.
The TN Government said the bus fare in TN does not cover insurance and toll fee compared to other States. Henceforth, the fare will cover an integrated component of accident insurance and toll fee as well. A minimum of Rs. 1 (for fares up to Rs. 25) and a maximum of Rs. 10 (for fares above Rs. 501) will be levied for this purpose.
Under the accident compensation fund, if the victim succumbs to fatal injuries, the kin will receive compensation ranging from Rs. 2.5 to Rs. 5 lakh immediately. The injured will receive compensation ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 2 lakh depending upon the nature of the injury and duration of hospitalisation. For the ones who suffer permanent disability or a head injury, Rs. 5 lakh will be given as a compensation.
The Government stated since timely compensation for accidents was not provided, around 652 State run Transport Corporation buses are under Court attachment proceedings. The State Transport Corporations spend an average of Rs. 12 crores per month towards toll fee.
