Pune: Divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar has made the use of helmets mandatory for all govt employees riding two-wheelers in Pune division. "All employees working in state govt departments, semi-govt offices, corporations, municipal corporations, councils and govt agencies in the Pune division have to use helmets," Pulkundwar told TOI on Wednesday. A circular in this regard, issued on 21 October with immediate effect, warns offenders against dual penalties — action under the Motor Vehicle Act and disciplinary proceedings.
"All department heads are supposed to keep a strict vigil on the arrangement and maintain a logbook. Collectors have to review the records every three months," he said. The directive follows a meeting with Road Safety Committee Chairman Justice Abhay Sapre (Retd), who expressed concerns over low helmet compliance in Pune.
The order mandated recording violators' names in their service books, citing Section 129 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, which made the use of helmets compulsory for both riders and those on pillion. Though officials described the order as a significant step towards improving road safety, some remained sceptical. "Such drives were initiated earlier too.
Though essential, it never succeeded," said civic activist Vivek Velankar. A govt official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said while such mandates might be followed initially, long-term implementation was questionable. The order encompasses Maharashtra Civil Services .