The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : MLAs support decision to make helmets compulsory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

MLAs support decision to make helmets compulsory

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Members of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday supported the Government's decision making in mandatory for two-wheeler riders to wear helmets.

Only Vatal Nagaraj (Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha) opposed the rule on the grounds that it was against democratic principles. Considering the high temperature in summer, the wearing of helmets should not be made mandatory, he said.

Intervening during the debate, Speaker Krishna said a majority of the members supported the Government's decision. The Government had enforced the rule in the interests of the public, he said.

Replying to V. Somanna (Congress) during Question Hour, Home Minister M.P. Prakash said the helmet rule came into effect from November 1, 2006 in the limits of Bangalore city and five other city corporation areas in the State.

There were 15,42,537 two-wheelers registered in Bangalore city, he said.

High Court order

The Government had made it mandatory for riders of two-wheelers to wear helmets as directed by the Karnataka High Court, he said.

H.C. Mahadevappa and B.R. Patil (JD-S), K. Srinivas Gowda, Basavaraj Rayareddy and M.C. Sudhakar (Congress) and some BJP members hailed the Government's decision. Mr. Rayareddy urged the Government to make the rule mandatory for those riding pillion too.

Highway improvement

In a reply to Prakash B. Hukkeri (Congress), the Home Minister said the Government had decided to develop 3,411 km of roads under the Karnataka State Highway Improvement Project with financial assistance from the World Bank.

Mr. Hukkeri said the project did not cover roads passing through backward taluks, particularly in Belgaum and Raichur districts. He urged the Government to include roads in Begalum district under the project.

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