Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chaos and confusion marked the first day of the district administration’s rule, which prohibits the sale of petrol or CNG to two-wheeler riders and drivers of CNG vehicles not wearing helmets.
While the rule aims to enforce road safety, its implementation saw widespread arguments at petrol pumps across the city.
Till noon, several fuel stations were supplying fuel to customers without helmets. However, the situation changed as police teams began patrolling pumps cautioning them regarding strict enforcement of the order. Following this, many fuel station operators adopted a stricter approach.
At the petrol pump at MP Nagar, dozens of college students and office goers were denied petrol for not wearing helmets. Rakhi, a staff member at a pump in Jehangirabad, said she alone had turned away over 100 customers since morning as they were not wearing helmets.
Similar scenes were reported from petrol pumps near Polytechnic Crossing, New Market, MP Nagar, Ashoka Garden and other places where pump staff tried to enforce the rule amid arguments. In some cases, riders were seen borrowing helmets from others nearby just to get their fuel tanks filled.
Private firm worker Ankush said he was not aware of the order. The fuel in his bike exhausted and was getting late to office but was denied petrol for not wearing a helmet. Ankush too borrowed a helmet for getting petrol at a pump at Ashoka Garden.
Additional DCP Traffic Basant Kaul said copies of the order were handed over to 65 petrol pumps across the city and action would be taken against pumps failing to comply by the administration. Officials clarified that for the first few days, the focus will remain on public awareness but stricter enforcement will follow soon.
