The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Confusion over helmet rule in suburbs

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 02, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Confusion over helmet rule in suburbs

Staff Reporter

Hawkers sell `non-ISI' helmets for Rs.350 onwards in various parts

IN TOP GEAR: A motorist on a city road, of course, complies with the compulsory helmet rule. But, what about the stuff in his way? — Photo: A. Muralitharan

TAMBARAM : Though several motorists in the suburbs on Friday were unsure if the compulsory helmet rule applied to their areas too, they chose to play safe. The response was as overwhelming as it was within the City Corporation limits.

The confusion was over whether it extended to the Greater Chennai limits. The Government Order issued on February 22 said the rule would come into effect from June 1 in "Chennai city and five other Municipal Corporations."

"The Chennai Corporation limit ends at Kathipara," pointed out G.R. Suresh, a resident of East Tambaram. He asked whether the residents of the suburbs beyond this point had one month more to comply with the rule.

His views were shared by a large number of two-wheeler riders. But they preferred not to be confronted by the authorities and strapped up instead.

Police stand

Police, on the other hand, said the rule was applicable to all areas that came under the jurisdiction of the Greater Chennai Police.

This included all areas in the southern suburbs of Chennai.

Traffic policemen slapped a fine of Rs. 100 on more than 30 motorists till 9.30 a.m. on Friday.

However, the penal action was stopped then and riders without helmets were let off after a warning. Police have warned of stern action from Saturday.

Windfall for dealers

The sudden rush for helmets is proving a windfall not only for the authorised retailers but also for several fly-by-night operators who have started hawking `non-ISI' brands on platforms.

Some of the platform vendors near the Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan on Anna Salai clearly said the helmets they were selling had no ISI marking. They were selling the helmets at Rs.350 each.

The Government Order that introduced the enforcement of helmets said "the helmets shall be as per the requirements of the Bureau of Indian Standards."

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