PMC seeks relaxation of helmet rule

NT NETWORK

PONDA

Delivering a blow to the successful traffic sentinel scheme, the Ponda municipal council on Friday resolved to demand exemption of Ponda city from the rule on compulsory wearing of helmets.

The decision was taken at a PMC meeting on Friday.

Addressing media persons after the meeting, PMC chairperson Pradeep Naik said the municipality will write to the district collector and the deputy collector seeking exemption of Ponda city from the rule on compulsory wearing of helmets within city limits.

“A resolution has been adopted in this regards at the council meeting saying that helmet wearing should not be compulsory in city limits, Naik said.

In the recent past, several Ponda residents have been challaned for not wearing helmet.  It is understood that the citizens were challaned after traffic violations were captured on mobile phones by conscientious citizens under the traffic sentinel scheme.

The irked residents took up the matter with PMC councillors, who broached the public concerns at the council meeting.

Consequently a resolution was adopted by the PMC seeking exemption for Ponda city from the helmet rule.

However, the decision has not gone down well with locals. They slammed the PMC for taking such a decision considering the rising number of accidents in the city limits.  The concerned citizens cited two fatal accidents in city areas that snuffed out the lives of two helmetless riders in the last two years.

“But the PMC has not learnt any lesson and passed this thoughtless resolution against helmet wearing,” lamented a city resident.

The PMC also resolved to give a new look to areas around municipal markets.  The Ponda civic body also adopted a resolution to renovate the old bus stand and shops at the Indira market.

Naik said the old fish market will be demolished and the area will be utilised to set up a basement parking facility. Fish vendors, chicken selling shopkeepers will be allotted separate spaces.

The entire municipal market will be reconstructed, and a platform and the basement parking facility will be constructed.

All vendors will be accommodated on the platform, Naik said adding that the proposals will be sent to the GSUDA for approval.

Several other issues were also discussed at the meeting.