Bhubaneswar: Bike riders, make it sure that you and your pillion rider are wearing helmets or else be prepared to have your license cancelled. The Odisha government will be strictly implementing helmet rules for bike riders from January 1.
Till December, it was imperative for two-wheeler drivers to wear helmets. It was not necessary for pillion riders to wear one. However, starting with the New Year, both will have to wear helmets or face disciplinary measures.
The amended Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) came into effect from September 1, 2019. However, the State Transport Authority implemented the amended MV Act in Odisha from March 1, 2020 as the state government had provided a breather of six months to vehicle owners enabling them to update their vehicle documents. Then again, the strict implementation of the Act was postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Union Transport Ministry extended the validity of motor vehicle documents like driving licenses, registration certificates and fitness certificates till March 31.
PNN