CM defends intention behind ‘no helmet, no fuel’ rule after petrol pump dealers’ protest

While addressing the state assembly on Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended Transport Minister Diwakar Raote’s intentions behind implementing the ‘no helmet, no fuel’ rule in the state,

“Raote took the decision with good intentions, in view of the fact that making the wearing of helmets mandatory was not yielding much results as far as road safety is concerned,” Fadnavis said.

“I will discuss this matter with Raote and see if a way out is possible,” the CM added.

Fadnavis was responding to former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s demand for reconsidering the ‘no helmet, no fuel’ decision for two-wheelers following the petrol pump association’s protest.

“Petrol and diesel retail outlets across the state have threatened to shut down their establishments from August 1 if the government doesn’t withdraw its decision,” Pawar said.

On Wednesday, the dealers announced that they will not be stocking up fuel on July 31 at 4,500 pumps in the state, including 500 in Mumbai.

Last week, the state government informed the legislative assembly that helmet-less bikers will not be allowed to buy fuel from any petrol pump in Maharashtra. The transport minister told the House that the decision has been taken to promote safety on roads. “Supplying fuel to riders not wearing helmets is seen as encouraging riding without helmets,” Raote said in a statement.

According to a report released by the Road Transport Ministry in June this year, Mumbai witnessed a maximum number of road accidents in the country with over 23,468 incidents reported in 2015 alone. The study considered 50 cities with a population of over a million residents.