While motorists in rest of the country are expressing displeasure at the heavy fines for traffic violation under the new Motor Vehicles Act, the Telangana government has categorically stated that they wouldn't implement the MV Act in the state. Besides, one of the commissionerates in Hyderabad – the Rachakonda police – have gone an extra-mile by providing free helmets to motorists instead of imposing fines on them.

The Rachakonda traffic police on Sunday introduced the initiative under which the police is providing free helmets for those who don’t have one, arranging pollution certificates, providing insurance cover and also booking slots for them to get a driving license. On Sunday, during the enforcement drive, police found around 260 motorists who were found driving without helmets in the Rachakonda police jurisdiction. After counselling them, the violators were provided with free helmets.

Speaking to TNM Rachakonda police commissioner, Mahesh Bhagwat said, “This is an effort to sensitise the motorists. We are counselling them to buy helmets rather than paying a hefty sum on penalties. A good ISI standard helmet costs about Rs 800, but the fine for not having one is Rs 1,000, so we are advising motorists to buy and wear helmets instead of paying fines. Similarly, a pollution certificate would cost just around Rs 50, but the fine for it is heavy under the new MV act. So we are counselling the violators to not lose their money on fines, and instead use that money to get all their paperwork done and buy a helmet for their own safety.”

The commissioner said that the reception for the initiative has been good.

The police have also tied up with the Regional Transport Authorities to book slots for motorists who don’t have a license. “Our intention is to not collect fines but to sensitise them to follow traffic rules for their own safety,” the Commissioner added.

The Commissioner said that the drive will happen at regular intervals.

Read: Telangana not to implement steep fines under new Motor Vehicles Act, says KCR