Srinagar, Jun 16: Despite clear legal mandates, helmet-less riding by two-wheeler users continues unabated across Srinagar. Bikers are often seen without protective headgear, flouting the law with impunity on city roads.
These bikers are frequently accompanied by pillion riders who also ignore mandatory helmet rules, posing serious safety risks to both themselves and others.
The violation remains widespread in areas such as Lal Chowk, Karan Nagar, Rajbagh, Dalgate, Hyderpora, Baghat, Nowgam, Batamaloo, Bemina, and several parts of Downtown. Locals regularly witness bikers weaving through traffic without helmets, particularly during evening hours, often riding at high speed and with little regard for safety.
“Every evening, I see groups of youngsters riding bikes without helmets, especially in the Hyderpora area. They zigzag through traffic and show no fear of getting caught. It’s dangerous not just for them but for others on the road,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Baghat.
In Bemina, many commuters report a similar situation. “Even in front of traffic cops, bikers ride past without helmets. Enforcement is weak, and people have stopped taking rules seriously,” said Kasam Bhat, a daily commuter.
“It’s not just the biker—most of the time, the pillion rider is also without a helmet. You often see two people on a bike, both without any safety gear. If there’s an accident, both are equally exposed to risk,” said Areeb Naqvi, a resident of Karan Nagar.
Interestingly, even those who comply with these regulations often wear substandard helmets as a mere formality to avoid fines. Many such helmets fail to meet the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) guidelines and provide little to no real protection during accidents. Commuters say enforcement officers rarely verify the quality or certification of helmets, allowing this practice to go unchecked.
“I know a low-quality helmet can lead to serious head injuries during an accident, but I only travel a few kilometres between my home and workplace,” admitted Adnan Reshi, a commuter in Lal Chowk. “So I don’t feel like spending much on an ISI-marked helmet—they’re expensive. I’ve never been stopped by traffic police because I wear a helmet, even if it’s of poor quality.”
It is important to mention that under amended Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory for every person riding a two-wheeler—whether as rider or pillion passenger and above the age of four — to wear a protective helmet conforming to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications. Violations invite penalties under Section 194D, which include fines up to Rs 1,000 and even suspension of the driving licence for up to three months.
However, despite these legal provisions, enforcement on the ground remains inconsistent and often ineffective. Many residents feel the lack of routine checks and lenient implementation has emboldened violators.
“You hardly see anyone being stopped for not wearing a helmet unless there’s a major traffic campaign,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a commuter from Nowgam. “Even then, the focus is only on whether something is on your head, not if it meets safety standards.”
Responding to these concerns, SSP Traffic City Srinagar Ajaz Ahmad said the department is actively working to improve compliance. “We are doing everything in our capacity to enforce helmet regulations,” he said. “However, given the size of the city, it’s not possible to monitor every stretch of road at all times. Some violators do slip through.”
The SSP added, “We will continue our enforcement drives to ensure better compliance across the city.”
While the traffic department maintains its commitment to stricter enforcement, many residents believe that unless helmet checks become routine and are backed by meaningful penalties, riders will continue to ignore safety regulations. Until then, helmet-less riding is likely to remain a regular and dangerous occurrence on Srinagar’s roads, putting both riders and pillion passengers at unnecessary risk.
