Kumar Bahukhandi
News reports from September 1 and 9 show that the campaign was largely a failure, with bike riders continuing to get petrol without helmets at various petrol pumps in almost all the areas of Raipur -File Photo
In contrast to Raipur, some areas like Durg and Bhilai saw more serious attempts at implementing the rule, with the Durg Collector issuing a direct order and Bhilai police engaging in awareness campaigns, though Raipur’s implementation was poor.
Raipur : After Durg in the state, these days ‘No Helmet-No Petrol’ is being discussed a lot in Raipur district. In fact, Raipur Petrol Pump Association has decided to give petrol only to two-wheeler drivers who wear helmets to prevent deaths in road accidents.
Its implementation has also started from September 1, 2025 . Earlier, the Petrol Pump Association had informed Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao and Raipur Collector about its decision and demanded security. The decision of Petrol Pump association was welcomed by all social and political organisations, but now this campaign is not being implemented on ground .
In the capital Raipur, it has become a kind of joke. On the lines of ‘Iski Topi-Uska Sir’, bikers are getting petrol filled in their vehicles by wearing the same helmet in turns at more or less all petrol pumps.
The purpose of the association was to create awareness among the people about helmets, but now it is becoming a mandatory formality for filling petrol. If this campaign is to be made successful, then strictness is necessary on this.
In such a situation, all petrol pumps will have to be strict about ‘No Helmet-No Petrol’. Anyway, the organisation has got assurance of full support from the district and police administration, so it should take this campaign seriously.
The police will deal directly with those who will argue over not getting petrol without helmet. Petrol pump owners can complain about this by dialling 112. However, it is not that such a campaign is going on only in our state.
In a big state like Uttar Pradesh, this campaign has been going on since August 1,2025 ., which will run till September 30.
Actually, the number of deaths of bike riders without helmets is widespread across the country. In the year 2021, about 47,000 people died in the country due to not wearing helmets, which is equal to four people dying every hour. Talking about Chhattisgarh, deaths are running on the roads here every day. In the last 7 months this year, 4337 people have lost their lives in 9234 road accidents, which is 2.75 percent more than last year. 70% of the dead have lost their lives because of not wearing seat belts or helmets.
These figures are shocking and show the dangerous consequences of not wearing helmets. Especially for two-wheeler riders, where deaths can be prevented by using helmets. Police and district administration officials can play an important role in this campaign, but after a few days of the campaign, the situation on the roads starts looking as careless as before.
Nevertheless , the aim of this campaign is not to punish the citizens, but to motivate them to adopt safe behavior in accordance with the law. However, the government will also have to come forward to implement the ‘No Helmet-No Petrol’ campaign properly. The success of this campaign is not possible by relying only on the Petrol Pump Association. For this, more than necessary efforts will have to be made.
Awareness campaigns are already being run in many cities of the country regarding the importance of helmets and the value of people’s lives. Somewhere a person dressed as Yamraj with a mace in his hand feeds laddus to those who follow traffic rules, and somewhere he tells the violators to ‘not increase my burden’.
Anyway, one thing everyone should understand is that without using safety equipment, no one can protect their life. Therefore, using a seat belt for a car rider and a helmet for a bike rider is considered a guarantee of life protection. In such a case, this campaign is praiseworthy. Yet the success of such a campaign is effective only when the general public follows the rules and regulations and also makes others aware for the safety of their lives.
(The writer is a Resident Editor of ‘Hindi Daily’ , published from Raipur , Chhattisgarh )
