Lucknow, July 28: Kanwariyas participating in the Kanwar Yatra 2019 have been exempted from the rigorously implemented "no helmet, no fuel" rule in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar. The district administration has issued a directive to the petrol pump association, asking all retailers to allow the pilgrims buy fuel irrespective of whether they are equipped with the road safety helmet.

Speaking to reporters, Dharamveer Chaudhari, who heads the Uttar Pradesh Petroleum Traders Association, said an order has been received from the district magistrate directing them to not to deny fuel to kanwariyas if they are not wearing helmets. Four Kanwariyas Die After Heavy Boulder Crashes Into Vehicle in NH 48 Near Tehri Garhwal

"Kanwariyas should be allowed to buy fuel at petrol pumps even if they are not wearing helmets. We have told all petrol pumps about the same," HT quoted him as saying.

Notably, the "no helmet, no fuel" norm was applied from June 1 this year on trial basis -- and was extended permanently after the authorities found success.

The kanwariyas, whose numbers have swelled to nearly four crore this year, have been provided adequate security cover along with other facilities by the governments of north Indian states.

The pilgrims used the road route to travel from their homes to the holy places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand, along with Sultanganj in Bihar, to bring the pure Ganga water back home. The annual yatra began on July 17 this year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2019 06:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).