Belagavi city police order petrol bunks to install CCTVs

Belagavi: After launching the “No Helmet, No Petrol” rule, Belagavi city police have asked petrol bunk owners to compulsorily install CCTVs. Apart from ensuring that bikers wear helmet, the CCTVs will help police track criminal activities.
“We have instructed all the petrol bunk owners to install CCTV which will not only help to monitor and crack criminal activities, but also to ensure that bikers are wearing helmets. Senior police officers will keep visiting every petrol bunks to ensure refueling is offered only to those bikers who are wearing helmets,” said Mahaling Nandgavi, DCP (law and order).

Police launched the “No Helmet, No Petrol” rule on February 21 a day after holding meeting with petrol bunk owners. There was confusion initially, but after police officers started surprise visits to petrol filling stations, the owners had no choice but to put the “No Helmet, No Petrol” boards and return bikers without the safety headgear.

After this rule was implemented, the public started questioning why police are not serious about implementing the compulsory autorickshaw meter rule. They took to the police department’s Facebook page, demanding action against violators.

Following the outburst, police have decided to launch a drive in this regard on March 1. The first stage of the mission will see police verify the documents and permits of autorickshaw meters.

There are about 7,500 autorickshaws operating in the city. But over 50% of them are running without permits. Many autorickshaws have meters, but do not charge fare as per the device.