Penalised violators may get free helmet

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 13

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore has mooted an idea of distributing helmets among motorists who will be penalised for not wearing headgears.

Badnore proposed the idea while addressing members of the Administrator’s Advisory Council at a meeting held at Hotel Mountview here today. He said helmets may be distributed among those who were challaned for not wearing headgears.

The Centre had recently enhanced the penalty for various traffic violations. Penalty for driving without helmet was also increased from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000.

While listing several achievements of the city, Badnore said Sardar Beant Singh Memorial and Chandigarh Centre for Performing and Visual Arts would be developed as a cultural hub on the lines of India International Centre, New Delhi.

He also shared that Chandigarh would soon have a shooting range at Sarangpur, which would be equipped with equipment and technology of international standard.

Three presentations on law and order, urban mobility, pedestrians and parking management plan at Sukhna Lake were presented by the respective sub-committee members. UT Adviser Manoj Kumar Parida and several other senior officers attended the meeting.

DGP Sanjay Beniwal said the police would soon come up with a modern police control room. UT SSP Nilambari Jagdale stressed upon the revitalisation of the beat policing system and crime mapping as a result of which substantial reduction in crime could be seen in the city.

A presentation on pedestrian and parking management plan at Sukhna Lake was also presented by Shashank Anand, SSP (Traffic). He explained that the traffic management plan was aimed at safety of pedestrians and cyclists, maintaining the aesthetics and heritage, improving the mobility for road users and reducing pollution of Sukhna Lake.

Former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, while supporting the move, said sufficient parking should be created at both ends of the lake.

City BJP president Sanjay Tandon stressed the need to allow parking at the ground floor and extra height of buildings to solve the parking problem. He also demanded a long-term planning to solve the parking mess.

Former Mayor Davesh Moudgil demanded more funds and share in the revenue for the Municipal Corporation.

Fine for riding without helmet

The Centre had recently enhanced the penalty for various traffic violations. Penalty for driving without helmet was also increased from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000.