A contradictory picture has recently emerged regarding the 'No Helmet, No Petrol' rule implemented in Bhopal. Initially enforced strictly, the impact of this rule is now diminishing. Despite banners and warnings at petrol pumps, many employees are dispensing petrol to customers without helmets.
Bhopal: The 'No Helmet, No Petrol' rule was implemented in August and was strictly enforced initially. However, the rule now appears to be weakening. Banners are still displayed at petrol pumps, but employees are providing petrol to customers without helmets. Meanwhile, the traffic police have resumed checking. In a single day, 122 individuals were fined for not wearing helmets and 22 for not wearing seatbelts.
When was the rule introduced?
The 'No Helmet, No Petrol' rule was initiated in August. Initially, it was strictly enforced, and people were made aware of road safety. According to the rule, two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets were not to be given petrol. But the situation has now changed. While banners are still present at petrol pumps, employees are dispensing petrol to those without helmets. This is precisely why the rule's effectiveness seems to be waning.
Traffic Police Resume Strictness
Bhopal traffic police recently launched a 15-day special checking campaign. On the very first day of the campaign, 122 individuals were fined for not wearing helmets, and 22 for not wearing seatbelts. Even a policeman stationed at the police control room was caught without a helmet and fined. This clearly indicates that the rule is still in effect, but questions are being raised about its effectiveness among the public and at petrol pumps.
Rakesh Tiwari, a resident of Gulmohar Colony in Bhopal, said, "I feel uncomfortable riding my scooter without a helmet. After the rule was introduced, I started keeping my helmet in the scooter and would wear it at the petrol pump. But now I see that people are getting petrol even without helmets. The strictness is not the same as before."
Pankaj Singh stated, "Now, they don't ask for helmets at the petrol pump. Earlier, people used to borrow helmets from others while waiting in line. Now, that necessity is gone. Perhaps some petrol pumps might ask, but they don't insist."
Concerns of the Petrol Pump Association
Ajay Singh, President of the MP Petrol Pump Dealers Association, said that the rule was impractical and bound to fail. He cited several violent incidents, including an employee being shot in Bhind. Similar incidents have occurred in Gandhi Nagar. Ajay Singh added, "People pass by police stations and intersections without helmets."
It is difficult to expect petrol pump owners to enforce the rule. They are traders; they do not want to alienate customers. He mentioned that the rule was implemented in Bhopal and Indore following recommendations from the Supreme Court's Road Safety Panel.
