TIRUPATI:
The Andhra Pradesh Government’s decision to make helmets mandatory for
two-wheeler riders in the state from July 1 has come as a shot in the arm for
the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which too has been trying in vain for the
last few years enforce it on the Tirumala Ghat Roads.
As the
serpentine Ghat Roads with several sharp curves are prone to accidents, mostly
involving two-wheelers, the TTD had decided to implement the helmet rule in
2008 and again in 2014. It had then proposed to either levy fines on the errant
riders or prevent them from entering the Ghat Roads.
Both times,
the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams had to withdraw the same after a few days,
following mounting criticism of its action from various quarters.
According to
TTD officials, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams employees, shopkeepers at
Tirumala, pilgrims mostly from Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore and the bordering
districts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka form a major chunk of the
violators on Ghat Roads.
With the
government itself announcing to make helmets compulsory, the Tirumala Tirupati
Devasthanams officials felt they too could insist on its implementation on Ghat
Roads from July 1.
Most of the
two-wheeler riders in the temple city felt the government would postpone the
implementation of the proposal.
However, the
police and transport department officials maintained that they would strictly
implement the new rule from the said date itself.
“All
two-wheeler and pillion riders should wear helmets compulsorily and we will
enforce the new rule from July 1. As there is enough time to buy helmets, we
expect all cooperation,” said Tirupati Urban SP Gopinath Jetty.
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