Siva Sekaran By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Wondering as to how Indian automobile manufacturers are allowed to produce vehicles with engines capable of travelling above 100 kmph against the permissible limit of 65 kmph, as specified in a notification issued in July 1989, the Madras High Court has directed the Union government to control the production of such vehicles.

If manufacturers are prohibited from making vehicles with high-speed engines, the question of limiting speed would not arise. Even if the driver intends to go full throttle, he won’t be able to cross the threshold, Justice N Kirubakaran reasoned and directed the Centre to ascertain the possibilities of implementing it. Many vehicles that zip past the legally permitted speed limit are imported and are invariably used for racing, he said and impleaded the Union ministry’s revenue department secretary as a party in the case suo motu.

Central Government Standing Counsel Venkatesan took notice for the newly-impleaded secretary. The judge directed him to get instructions as to why high-speed vehicles are allowed to be imported, especially when they endanger the lives of the innocent citizens and whether it is possible to prohibit their import.

Further, it was brought to the notice of the court that vehicles that are declared unfit to ply in foreign countries are being allowed to be imported and are used in India. All queries must be answered on the next hearing date, the judge said and posted the matter for further hearing on August 22.