From today: No helmet, no petrol

LUCKNOW: Two-wheeler drivers who reach fuel stations without wearing helmets will be refused petrol from Sunday. They will also be issued with challans.

The Lucknow police have launched a ‘no helmet, no petrol’ drive, as part of which a sub-inspector and a traffic cop will be stationed at the 67 identified petrol pumps from 10 am to 6 pm.

“No two-wheeler will be given petrol if he / she reaches without a helmet. This exercise has been undertaken to inculcate the habit of wearing helmet among riders,” said Kalanidhi Naithani, senior superintendent of police, Lucknow. To begin with, helmets will be compulsory for drivers alone. However, later , they will be made mandatory for pillion riders too.

The police, in association with the petrol pump owners’ association, will also set up helmet selling points at fuel stations. This will facilitate easy purchase for riders who arrive without wearing helmets. Earlier too, such initiatives has been tried here. Former SSP Deepak Kumar had launched a similar drive in Lucknow on May 22, 2017. It continued for a few days before fizzling out. Under the former SP government too, a similar drive was launched. However, it could not sustain beyond a few days.

On Saturday, the SSP conducted a surprise inspection at Gomti Nagar police station. He also inspected traffic regulation at the 1090 crossing.