Mrudula Narale
Taking a strong action in the aftermath of a tragic accident, the Pune Traffic Police have initiated a harsh crackdown on heavy vehicles going against no-entry zone prohibitions. In just 48 hours, the authorities registered 28 First Information Reports (FIRs) on heavy vehicle drivers and owners who were caught entering no-entry zones during banned time. The stepped-up crackdown comes after a fatal crash on June 11 at Gangadham Chowk in the Market Yard area, in which a truck hit a scooter, killing 29-year-old Dipali Yuvraj Soni on the spot and injuring her 61-year-old father-in-law, Jagdish Soni.
The crash, which was caught on CCTV and went viral, caused widespread anger in Pune, with citizens condemning the police for not enforcing enough against heavy vehicles using the city’s roads during peak times. The public outcry against such vehicles being a threat in heavily populated cities meant that the authorities quickly acted upon it.
Pune prohibits heavy vehicles—goods trucks, tankers, containers, buses, cranes, trailers, cement mixers, excavators, and multiaxle vehicles—from accessing designated red zones, including central parts like Shivajinagar, Deccan Gymkhana, Tilak Road, Laxmi Road, Bajirao Road, all Peth areas, Parnakuti, Bremen Chowk, and Koregaon Park. Violations have continued despite the ban, putting others at risk in places like Gangadham, Satara Road, Warje Malwadi, and Paud Phata.
For solving the problem, Pune Traffic Police have taken a zero-tolerance policy, filing cases at several stations, such as Swargate, Warje Malwadi, Khadki, Vimantal, Yerwada, Baner, Wagholi, Wanowrie, Loni Kalbhor, and Market Yard. Legal proceedings are being undertaken under Sections 281 and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, dealing with negligent behavior in relation to vehicles and death by negligence. These steps would make violators criminally liable, a step beyond the usual fines, to serve as a stronger deterrent.
The drive targets drivers and vehicle owners with the objective of enforcing compliance and bringing transport companies to book. By registering the violation by way of FIRs, the police are establishing a legal base to enable stricter regulation of traffic and avoid accidents in the future. The measure also hopes to instill more stringent driver training and observance of safety regulations.
Authorities have significantly committed to continuing this strict enforcement, with strict plans to monitor important areas such as Gangadham Chowk, which has been added to the red zone. This continuous effort signifies the police’s dedication to ending the threat posed by heavy vehicles within limited zones, addressing both the recent tragedy and public issues that have persistently raised people’s concerns.
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