No helmet, no fuel: UP’s strict road safety drive hits Noida and Ghaziabad

No helmet, no fuel: New safety rule in Noida & Ghaziabad.

The Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out a new road safety rule across Noida and Ghaziabad: no helmet, no fuel. From September 1 to September 30, two-wheeler riders without helmets will not be given petrol at fuel stations.

The month-long enforcement drive, backed by district officials, police, and transport authorities, aims to reduce road accidents and fatalities while encouraging safe riding habits.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath described the move as a step toward encouraging responsible riding. He said the initiative should not be seen as punishment but rather as a safety measure aimed at saving lives.

According to the government’s statement, the campaign is being jointly monitored by district magistrates, police, transport officers, and members of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC).

Officials say the objective is to reduce accidents and deaths caused by reckless riding. “This drive is meant to ensure safety on the roads,” Hindustan Times quoted Sacchidanand, additional DCP (traffic) Ghaziabad, as sayin. He added that if petrol pump staff face arguments or resistance, they can immediately call the police helpline 112 for support.

In Gautam Budh Nagar, district magistrate Medha Roopam instructed police, administration, and the transport department to conduct strict monitoring.

Assistant regional transport officer (enforcement) Dr Udit Narayan Pandey said awareness programmes are also being planned to educate riders about why the rule has been enforced.

However, petrol pump staff and owners say they are facing the biggest challenges. Many riders, they explained, are unwilling to accept the rule and often get into arguments when refused fuel.

“We are not an enforcement agency,” said Devendra Chaudhary, general secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Petrol Association. “People argue, they fight. Owners and attendants are left to manage the situation.”

At a pump in Noida’s Sector 33, attendant Ajay Kumar echoed the frustration. “Our mouths run dry repeating the same line: ‘Petrol is not available without a helmet.’ Some riders get angry and misbehave,” he was quoted by HT saying.

In Ghaziabad, which has nearly 100 fuel stations, dealers too complained of growing tension. “People often pick fights when denied fuel. We are left to defend ourselves,” said Vipin Sharma, president of the Zila Ghaziabad Petrol Diesel Dealers’ Association. The association is planning to meet district officials to ask for support.

The government, however, insists the move is necessary. Data shows Ghaziabad recorded 886 accidents in 2022, 991 in 2023, and 996 in 2024.

These resulted in more than 360 deaths each year, with the toll rising to 381 in 2024. Injury cases also jumped from 638 in 2022 to 781 in 2024. In the first half of 2025 alone, 537 accidents have already been reported, killing 189 people.

On the first day of the campaign, Ghaziabad traffic police issued 1,427 challans to helmetless riders. To strengthen enforcement, banners and CCTV cameras have been installed at most fuel stations.