Sub-standard helmets flood Guwahati city

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Poor quality, cheap helmets can be seen flooding the wayside shops in the city as sale of helmets are increasing after the Government made wearing of helmets compulsory even for pillion riders of two-wheelers

Authorized helmet vendors in the city aside, two-wheeler repairing shops, tyre shops and the like have started dealing in such helmets. Many sellers can be even seen roaming on the streets with these helmets, hoping to find buyers.

Cracking down on sale of sub-standard helmets in the city, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has been conducting regular drives against these vendors and outlets stocking and selling such helmets.

Violating the compulsory standard of helmets was categorized as a cognizable offense under section 29 (4) of the BIS Act.

GMC collector Deepshikha Saikia said, "Regular drive against vendors selling sub-standard helmets is going on. The drive has been going on for about a month and a half.

"Keeping the safety of the people in mind, we are cracking down on such vendors. We have also served notices to those found violating the norms," she added.

In a bid to bring down deaths due to road accidents, the State Government decided to make helmets mandatory for people riding pillion on two-wheelers from December 1 last year. A fine of Rs 1,000 is also being imposed on those found violating the rule and an FIR may also be lodged against them in extreme cases.

As per sources more than Rs 16 crore in fines was collected since August last year, of which Rs 4 crore was collected in the month of December itself after the rule was enforced.

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