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August 1 deadline But no stock of helmets in city
There is a heavy rush of customers to helmet stores in the city ever since the announcement was made that helmets would be mandatory from August 1. While customers are making a bee-line to shops, the shopkeepers are a worried lot as they do not have enough stock.
- Shop owners state they need at least four months time to stock up helmets
- Customers make a bee-line to shops but have little to choose from
There is a heavy rush of customers to helmet stores in the city ever since the announcement was made that helmets would be mandatory from August 1. While customers are making a bee-line to shops, the shopkeepers are a worried lot as they do not have enough stock.
Asif Khan, owner of The Helmet World at Ranigunj, says, “The last time the YSR government made helmets compulsory, a meeting with all the stakeholders was held and ample time was given to procure stock. This time there is no such arrangement. It will hurt sales.”
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The fall out of the announcement is having its effect as several fly-by-night operators have emerged and are selling helmets even on road sides. Asif rues, “One cannot vouch for the quality of helmets bought from the pavement.” Meanwhile, shops are making hay while the sun shines.
Rahman, a sales boy at R P Road in Secunderabad, said, “Previously we would get about 10 customers a day but now the number has gone up considerably. People want new models and come with pictures of helmets but we do not have the stock.” Kalyan Seshadri, an engineering student, says, “My cousin who is studying in Kaula Lumpur sent me a few photos of helmets and I wanted them but they are not available in Hyderabad.” Customers want fully covered helmets but stocks are running out.
Premium brands like LS2, Airoh, KBC, were rare are now available, thanks to the influx of high-end motorcycles in India. Brands like KTM, Triumph, Harley Davidson are also setting up showrooms in Hyderabad, there has been spurt in the sales of these. The cost of these helmets range between Rs 4000 to Rs 40,000 and people have no qualms of spending as the motorcycles cost over a lakh.
By:Divya Vallabhaneni
