Helmets made compulsory for women as well by HC

CHANDIGARH, July 9: Helmets will now be compulsory for all men and women driving two-wheelers and sitting on the pillion in Chandigarh and the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. Disposing of a PIL seeking regulation of traffic and pollution-control, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today also banned the use of black films on cars. In its 96-page judgment, a division bench comprising Justice Sat Pal and Justice Swatanter Kumar today gave both short-term and long-term direction to help regulate traffic and control pollution in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana.

The directions, though effective immediately, would be implemented within 15 days from today, to enable the authorities to give wide publicity.

To ensure that these directions are implemented in right earnest and in all seriousness, the court has allowed continuation of its high-powered committee, which has H.S. Sethi as secretary, besides having members from UT, Punjab and Haryana. The committee has also been given powers to form raiding parties to ensure the compliance of court orders and report the same to the court for action in case of non-compliance thereof.

Haryana has been directed to open pollution checking centres at G.T. Road, Sonepat, and at three more places in Chandigarh. The early completion of the four-laning of G.T. Road was also sought by the court.