New Delhi: Even as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led states are looking to revise fines under the new motor vehicle act, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Delhi government is not looking to dilute the penalties as “the stringent measures are meant to ensure road safety”.

The development is key as the Delhi government which was once a critic of the central government has now softened their stand.

“Though the state governments have certain discretionary powers to ease the penalties with respect to certain offences as per the new MV Act, as of now Delhi Government is not mulling to dilute them since the stringent measures are meant to ensure road safety. Road safety is a major concern in Delhi and Delhi government is very serious about it”, Kailash Gahlot, Transport minister said while addressing a press conference in Delhi on Wednesday.

Since the implementation of the new rules, several BJP states including Gujarat and Karnataka have moved to dilute the fines. According to news reports, other BJP led states including Uttarakhand are also looking to dilute the penalties.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, a friendly ally of the AAP, has said that the Trinamool Congress led government will not implement the “harsh” penalties.

“We are closely observing the initiatives by other states as well as consulting with various stakeholders. At any stage, if the Delhi government is convinced to reduce the penalties for certain offences, we shall do the needful”, he added.

The new rules which came into effect on 1 September have increased fines by manifolds across all offences.

To reduce the rush outside pollution checking centres, the Delhi government has announced remedial measures including increasing the functioning time from 7am to 10pm, doubled the served capacity and opening more pollution checking centres.