Bhubaneswar, June 15: The Khurda administration today launched the "No Helmet, No Petrol" drive for two-wheelers at all filling stations across the district.
The filling stations will not also refill fuel tanks of four wheelers whose drivers are found not wearing seat belts.
Bhubaneswar II regional transport officer S. K. Behera said all filling stations had been asked to enforce the rule stringently. "We will constitute a squad that will visit the filling stations to ensure that the drive is being enforced. We have also put up banners at all filling stations to create awareness among consumers," said Behera.
Bargarh was the first district to implement the rule last September and Rourkela followed suit in March. Apprehending a law and order problem, Rourkela police had also deployed their personnel in front of the stations for a few weeks at the beginning of the drive. However, transport officials said there were no untoward incidents so far in the district. The district has around 74 filling stations, including 30 within the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation jurisdiction.
All Odisha Petrol Pump Owners' Association secretary Sanjay Lath said they have asked the filling stations to enforce the rule. "The filling stations will give helmets to those who need fuel urgently. These they can return afterwards. We hope the time it will take the customers to get the helmets from the filling station offices and then return them would ensure awareness about the initiative," said Lath.
According to official records, around 175 people died in 600 accidents in Bhubaneswar in 2015, while 177 people died in 516 road mishaps in 2014. Similarly, 297 accidents took place in other areas of Khurda district, claiming 118 lives in 2015 while 132 people died in 295 road mishaps in 2014.
Lath also said they would ask the transport department to felicitate the filling stations whose employees enforce the initiative most effectively.
"We will ensure that the initiative does not run out of steam after a few months. We will lend full support to the drive," Lath said.
Motorists also welcomed the initiative. However, they demanded that the district administration conduct an awareness drive.
"I left my helmet in a hurry and when I reached the filling station, I was unaware of the new proposal. Later, I borrowed a helmet from another commuter and filled my oil tank," said Rajat Das, a commuter.
