Helmets, seat belts to be must on Yamuna expressway

NOIDA: Travelling on Yamuna Expressway without helmets and seat belts may soon attract penalties as police and the expressway authorities are going to step up vigil on the entire 165 km stretch. Two-wheelers would not be allowed on the road if the riders are found not using helmets.
Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has asked police departments of six districts and Jaypee Infratech Limited to penalise all vehicles in which drivers and front passengers are found not to be wearing seatbelts or two-wheeler riders are found without helmets. An official said that sometimes two-wheeler riders carry helmets but do not wear them. Such riders would be penalised.
Arunvir Singh, chief executive officer (CEO), YEIDA, said that those riding two-wheelers without helmets would not be allowed on the expressway. While letters have been sent to all departments, it might take about a week for the plan to be implemented, officials said. “Seat belts and helmets are small steps that people have to take for their own safety. But they don’t realise it. I have written to the SSPs and the SP traffic of all six districts asking them to step up at the earliest,” Singh said.
The penalty for not using helmets and seat belts is Rs 400. Officials said that they check for violations sporadically at the toll plazas but the rest of the expressway remains unchecked on most days.
YEIDA has also sought a report from the concessionaire, Jaypee Group, by Monday regarding safety measures implemented by it on the road. “If we do not get anything, I will call a meeting with Jaypee officials and our staff to discuss safety lapses and what can be done about them,” said Singh.