Kolkata, May 24 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has reiterated time and again the necessity to rein in speed driving, on Wednesday expressed grief at the loss of lives in a bus accident in Uttarakhand.

She urged people to drive safe.

"Saddened by deaths of 22 pilgrims. My condolences to bereaved families. Road accidents are a big killer of our nation. Safe Drive, Save Life," Banerjee said on Twitter.

At least 24 persons were killed and eight injured when the bus carrying pilgrims from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, plunged into a deep gorge late on Tuesday.

The accident took place near Nalupani when they were returning from the Gangotri shrine.

Banerjee's Trinamool Congress government is set to bring in a new law to curb speed driving which has made headlines for several deaths in the state.

The new law proposes a five to ten-fold hike in penalties for first-time traffic offenders.

While denouncing the menace of speed racing/driving/biking, Banerjee had earlier said the bikes of offenders may be impounded.

Last year, Kolkata police issued the "No Helmet No Petrol" notification.

According to the rules, a biker without a helmet or one with a pillion rider not wearing the headgear will not be able to purchase any fuel from a fuel pump in the city.