Shops register brisk helmet sales

Shops register brisk helmet sales
Deccan Herald

On the roads, it was a normal day: some wore it, many did not. Here and there at the traffic junctions, the traffic cops issued a warning or two to the erring - the non wearers that is.


On the roads, it was a normal day: some wore it, many did not. Here and there at the traffic junctions, the traffic cops issued a warning or two to the erring - the non wearers that is.

At the stores however it was a picture in contrast: teeming crowds were buying them like hot-cakes.

Was the buy just for keeps then? Cannot say. The murmur among the buyers was - ‘It’s a hell of a rule to comply with alright?’.


And there by the hangs the tale.

We are talking of helmets. More specifically the compulsory helmet wear rule for two wheeler riders which came into effect on Wednesday.

Deadline

The traffic cops have given seven days time for the riders to comply. The crowd, the price and the brands on offer all seemed to send a middle-aged man into a claustrophobic spin as he walked out of a helmet store on Lalbagh Road muttering: “Yarado duddu, Yellamana Jathre!” (Somebody’s money, someone else’s celebration...)

On the palette of brands are: Volga, Steelbird, Wrangler, Aerostar, Globe...

The prices too are for the buyer’s pick, ranging fromRs 500 to Rs 2000 plus.

Stock and price

Sameer, owner of one of the relatively small helmet stores noted candidly that the price of every brand and variety was hiked by a minimum Rs 50 on Tuesday evening coinciding with the government’s announcement of implementing the rule.

However, he quickly noted that dealers have no control over the price; it is fixed by the manufacturers.

Between Tuesday evening and Wednesday noon, dealers like him made business to the tune of Rs 20,000 while their larger counterparts raked in Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh, he said.

“We have been keeping our stocks ready since one month. The full face (covered) ones are the most preferred buys”, he said.

Loot

Shekar and Murthy - both government employees felt that the rule was a ‘national loot’ in disguise. “When the helmet stocks are sold and done, nobody - the police or the government will be bothered about implementing the rule, you watch out” noted Shekar and while Murthy butted in, “What is the point making the working class spend Rs 500 on a helmet when the two-wheeler itself would have cost them, say, just about Rs 3,000?”

Venkatesh, an employee of a prominent Public Sector Unit too said that it was a ‘money making business’ for the interests involved. The government should seek to “improve and decongest the roads and make them safer” instead of imposing these rules, he said. “I have no helmet. I spoke to the cops. Fine is only after seven days. I will see then...,”was the reaction of the Deccan Herald photographer after covering the beat along with this reporter.

Confusion

Meanwhile, two senior police officers issued contradictory statements on the implementation of the rule.

Additional Commissioner M N Reddy, speaking to Deccan Herald, said, “For the first seven days, we are not going to be that strict. After that, fine will be levied.”

He said the police had lined up many programmes to create awareness among the public.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Police Traffic (East) M A Saleem said that the rule would be strictly implemented.

“The violators will be penalised from Saturday onwards,” Mr Saleem added.

The going price - Rs 500 plus for a helmet is a burden on middle income families.

Jayapriya Babu (Housewife)



Was not particular about wearing a helmet before. I agree that wearing helmet is safer.

Anuradha (HR personnel)



I don’t wear a helmet always, but I have no problem wearing one.

Dev (Student)



I don’t like wearing a helmet that costs Rs 750. It is uncomfortable.

Aslam (Businessman)