• Source:JND
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The two-wheeler riders in Madhya Pradesh's Indore and Bhopal will not be able to get fuel without a helmet from August 1. The Bhopal District Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh, and Indore DC Ashish Singh issued the orders on Wednesday. The decision is aimed at curbing the fatalities in road accidents.

The new directive mandates all petrol and CNG pumps to deny fuel to any rider not wearing an ISI-marked helmet. The order will be in effect from August 1 to September 29. Those found violating the guidelines may face legal action under Section 223. The directive is based on Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which makes it mandatory for both riders and pillion riders to wear helmets.

The Bhopal DC highlighted that several advisories on helmets have been issued by both the Centre and state governments, but the compliance still remains low. The order further added that the new rule will be in addition to the already existing rules and will not override them.

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While the Bhopal and Indore administrations have made it mandatory to get fuel, the Indore Mayor has urged implementation of the rule in government offices.

In a letter to Collector Ashish Singh, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava has urged that helmet rules be extended to government offices as well.

He has proposed denying entry to visitors not wearing helmets, reinforcing the need for consistent helmet usage across the city. While the decision has been widely praised, it has also triggered concerns among fuel pump dealers.

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The Petrol Dealers Association members have emphasised the practical challenges of implementing the ban, with confrontations at fuel stations as the most important one.

A representative said, "Operators may face penalties, but it remains unclear what action will be taken against those who forcefully demand petrol without helmets".