Day one of “no-helmet, no-petrol” rule enforced by the Patna administration saw an unprecedented response from petrol pump workers on Sunday.

Forget the common man, even the men in uniform were denied petrol for violating the norm of wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler on the city roads.

An extraordinary scene unfolded at a petrol pump near Rajapur Pul when a policeman stopped his motorbike for fuel refill. As soon as the cop demanded fuel, a staff said: “Sorry, we cannot give you petrol.”

The policeman asked: “Why can’t you give me petrol? I am giving you the money.”

The staff said: “Sorry sir, you are not wearing a helmet and we have orders from our boss not to give petrol to motorbike riders who are ignoring the rule. We would end up paying a fine if anybody from the district administration catches us filling the petrol tank of your motorbike.”

The policeman was not to be convinced so easily.

“Nothing will happen. Why don’t you understand? I am a policeman, just fill up the tank,” he insisted.

The staff whispered: “Sir, for your kind information, some journalists (The Telegraph) are standing here with cameras. It’s better you make a move now.”

As soon as the policeman saw The Telegraph team, he made a quick exit before the photographer could catch him on camera. Partho Ghosh, the manager of the petrol pump, said: “This is the way every petrol pump should act. No matter who the person is, we will not give petrol if he or she is not wearing a helmet.”

The Telegraph visited seven petrol pumps in the city to check how effectively the new rule was being implemented. The petrol pump owners, despite initial hesitation, seemed to have taken the norm very seriously.

Even the cops (the first one was an exception) were seen sporting helmets at petrol pumps. A police officer waiting for his turn at a petrol pump near Patna High Court said: “We are supposed to set an example of this new rule. If we do not follow the order of the district administration, how will the common man take it seriously?”

However, the manager of the petrol pump, Godan Singh, expressed his helplessness in convincing the customers. “Fortunately, we haven’t come across any customer losing their temper. We are polite but firm in refusing fuel to customers without helmets.”

According to the new rule, the district magistrate has asked all petrol pumps to deny fuel to those two-wheeler riders who do not wear helmets.

Those who ignored the rule had a tough day at the petrol pumps. Rakesh Kumar, a government employee who was refused petrol at a pump near Baas Ghat, said: “I had read about this rule in the newspaper but I forget to bring the helmet. Fill the petrol now, next time I promise to wear the helmet.” Dilip Kumar, a worker at the pump, said: “Sir, we cannot give you petrol now. Next time, when you come wearing a helmet, we will be at your service.”

Asked if the rule was affecting the business, he said: “Yes, if this continues, we will surely lose Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 every day. I hope people will understand the value of helmet and start following the order soon.”

Petrol pumps on Dakbungalow, Income Rax roundabout and Boring Canal Road, too, followed the norm with sincerity. A staff of Dakbungalow petrol pump, Navin Kumar Jha, said: “We may face problems for a while but this rule will promote a safe habit.”

District magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh expressed satisfaction over the response. “The credit goes to the petrol pump owners who are following the order strictly. Once people develop the habit of wearing helmets, it will be continue forever.”

The district magistrate said random checking would be carried out at petrol pumps to ensure that the order is being followed. “If anybody is caught giving petrol to a rider without helmet, we will take legal action against the person,” he added.