Lucknow, Jan. 15, 2025 – Beginning January 26, two-wheeler riders and pillion passengers without helmets will be denied fuel at petrol stations in Lucknow.
This enforcement aligns with Uttar Pradesh’s “No Helmet, No Fuel” initiative aimed at curbing road fatalities involving two-wheelers.
The directive, issued by Lucknow District Magistrate Surya Pal Gangwar, follows the January 8 order from the Uttar Pradesh Transport Commissioner.
“It is imperative to raise awareness about road safety and address deaths caused due to the non-use of helmets,” stated the official notification.
Under the policy, all two-wheeler riders and their passengers must wear Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-compliant helmets, as mandated by Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Rule 201 of the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1998.
Petrol stations have been given a seven-day window to install large signboards announcing the rule.
Additionally, station operators are required to maintain fully operational CCTV cameras to monitor compliance and minimize disputes.
Highlighting the urgency of this measure, Transport Commissioner Brajesh Narain Singh cited grim statistics from 2022.
Uttar Pradesh recorded 36,875 road accidents, resulting in 24,109 fatalities and 21,696 injuries. In Lucknow alone, 1,408 accidents led to 643 deaths and 994 injuries.
“The goal is to promote helmet usage and significantly reduce road accident casualties,” Singh said.
While the policy is set to expand to urban areas across the state, including Noida, it has faced criticism from the Uttar Pradesh Petroleum Association. The association expressed concerns over its feasibility, arguing that most fuel stations lack the resources to enforce the rule effectively.
Despite resistance, the administration remains committed to its implementation, aiming to create safer roads and foster a culture of helmet compliance throughout the state.
