The Maharashtra Transport Department on Saturday issued a circular making it mandatory for pillion riders to wear helmets. The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has opposed the rule saying it will benefit only helmet manufacturers.
The new helmets-for-pillions rule was announced by Transport Minister Diwakar Raote earlier this week.
The Transport Commissioner’s office issued the circular in line with Bombay High Court directives given in connection with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2003. The circular pointed out that Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, makes it mandatory for two-wheeler riders and their pillion riders to wear helmets.
The circular said directives had been issued to two-wheeler dealers to provide two helmets to buyers. The RTO will obtain proof from the dealer at the time of vehicle registration ensuring that two helmets have been supplied to the owner, the circular said.
“It is a reality that if the two-wheeler rider and his pillion rider are wearing helmets, it reduces the impact in case of an accident, and that’s why with the intention of implementing the directives of the (Bombay) High Court, it has been made mandatory for both the rider and his pillion rider to wear helmets or face action,” the circular signed by State Transport Commissioner SB Sahastrabuddhe said.
The development comes a few days after Mr Raote made helmets mandatory in Aurangabad and Pune, and had announced that the new rule will be implemented across the State.
Helmet prices in Aurangabad and Pune have risen after the police began implementing the rule.
