“Punekars Are Allergic to Helmets,” Says Pune Police Chief Amid Plans For Zero Tolerance Policy Against Traffic Rule Violations

Reported by Varad Bhatkhande

Pune, 26th September 2024: During the “Vibrant Pune” event hosted by Punekar News at Residency Club on Tuesday, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar addressed the city’s growing traffic challenges. While acknowledging the increasing traffic congestion, he assured Pune’s residents that the police are taking stringent measures to improve the situation. He discussed current traffic issues, violations, zero-tolerance policies for certain infractions, and how Punekars are “allergic” to specific traffic regulations.

“Pune’s commuting time is very high, and we need to work on reducing it,” said Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. “While Metro work and other infrastructure projects are contributing to increased traffic congestion, this is temporary. Once these projects are completed, the situation will improve. However, I cannot place all the blame on infrastructure. As traffic enforcers, we are doing our best despite resource constraints.”

Kumar revealed that key traffic congestion points have been identified, and the traffic police are focusing on these areas. The 33 traffic hotspots include locations such as the Sadhu Vaswani Flyover, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Road, and Wagholi. Efforts are underway to manage and alleviate congestion in these areas.

“A sense of indiscipline is creeping into commuters,” he remarked. “We have initiated a zero-tolerance policy against violations like wrong-way riding and triple-seat driving. The prevalence of wrong-way riding in Pune is alarmingly high. Over the next month, enforcement will be strict to ensure that people follow traffic rules, even if it causes some inconvenience.”

Kumar urged citizens to remain optimistic and to trust that the police are working to improve the traffic situation. He encouraged residents to follow traffic rules, raise awareness, and report violations, assuring them that the police would respond promptly.

Touching on the issue of helmet use, Kumar humorously pointed out that Punekars seem “allergic” to helmets. “I’ve been to several cities in Maharashtra, and I can confidently say that Pune stands out. There’s a unique attitude towards helmets here. While helmets are accepted as essential safety gear worldwide, many Punekars still don’t see their importance,” he said.

The Pune Police Commissioner emphasized the need for continued efforts to improve traffic discipline in the city, promising stricter enforcement in the coming months.