Sikh women without headgear to face helmet challan in Chandigarh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 27

Sikh women not wearing a turban will no longer be exempted from wearing helmet in the city. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the State Level Road Safety Council held under the chairmanship of UT Adviser Dharam Pal here today.

On July 6, 2018, the UT had amended an earlier notification of exempting all women from wearing helmet to exempt only turban-wearing Sikh women. When pressure mounted on the UT and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the ministry, in October 2018, advised the administration to exempt Sikh women from wearing helmet while riding a two-wheeler or riding pillion in Chandigarh.

Under a notification of December 2018, the administration exempted Sikh women from wearing helmets, even if they didn't wear a turban.

A senior UT official said they would modify the earlier notification and implement the Central Motor Vehicle Rules. Now, Sikh women would be challaned for riding without helmet if they are not wearing a turban, added the official.

"We have proposed the same provision as given in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules i.e. exemption from wearing helmet for Sikh persons (men and women) wearing a turban only," said SSP (Traffic) Manisha Chaudhary.

In another major decision, the UT Administration decided to declare seven roads as "No stopping" and "No parking" zones. An official said a notification regarding the decision would be issued soon.

He said the focus of the meeting remained on rectifying the black spots or accident-prone areas through intervention such as construction of table-tops, installation of cautionary traffic signage, etc, as well as improving the overall visibility on roads.

Meanwhile, UT Adviser Dharam Pal said the departments concerned had been asked to implement the decisions taken within the stipulated time period.

Key decisions

• Holistic plan for revitalisation of Sector 17
• Enforcing plying of autos on carriageways
• Provision of extreme left lane for buses, trucks, taxis
• “Differently abled person parking” stickers
• Rotaries to be redesigned to minimise collision impact
• Iron grills to be installed on V-2, V-3 roads
• Dark spots to be illuminated

‘No stopping’, ‘No parking’ zones

Madhya Marg Dhillon Barrier to PGI, up to Sarangpur barrier

Dakshin Marg Zirakpur barrier to Milk Colony, Dhanas light point

Udhyog Path ITI light point to Sectors 14-15-24-25 roundabout

Jan Marg HC Chowk to Sectors 42-43-52-53 roundabout

Himalaya Marg Sectors 4-5-8-9 chowk to 51-52 light point

Purv Marg Bapu Dham light point to Faidan barrier light point

Sarovar Path Sector 5-6 road to Colony No. 5 light point

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