VahanScore: Pune Entrepreneur’s Initiative To Improve City Traffic By Holding Offenders Accountable Gains Traction | https://vahanscore.com/
Punekars, known for frequent traffic violations such as riding without helmets and driving on footpaths to escape jams, have led entrepreneur Ravi Kumar to launch VahanScore — an innovative initiative aimed at improving Pune’s traffic and fostering a strong sense of road responsibility among the citizens.
What is VahanScore?
VahanScore is a public accountability platform designed to track and display traffic violations. Conceptualised in December 2024, Kumar said the initiative was born out of a deep sense of frustration and personal commitment to road safety, following a series of tragic events in Pune. The tipping point, according to Kumar, was when a family of nine, including children, sleeping by the roadside, were crushed under a dumper in the same month. It was then that he decided to take action to improve Pune’s traffic.
“VahanScore emerged out of my frustration with the lax enforcement of traffic laws and my personal fears as a cyclist. Having witnessed firsthand the dangers on Pune’s roads, I felt compelled to create a solution that would ensure dangerous drivers remain accountable, thereby reducing the risk of future tragedies,” he said.
How does VahanScore work?
When a citizen observes a traffic violation, he/she captures a photo or video of the offence with the vehicle’s number plate clearly visible. Next, they go to www.vahanscore.com and upload the evidence, select the type of offence (e.g. rash driving, illegal parking, etc.), provide details like location, date and time of the incident.
Once submitted, the reports are immediately updated in the system, making the offence publicly accessible. VahanScore’s internal team then validates the reported violations. Once the violation is approved, the website generates a message which can help you post it on X (formerly Twitter) and tag Pune City Traffic Police. The authorities then take action by issuing e-challans.
The website also provides a searchable database of traffic violations, ensuring habitual offenders stay visible.
“This streamlined approach ensures transparency, empowers citizens to hold offenders accountable and strengthens road safety through collective vigilance,” said Kumar.
How have the traffic police responded?
Kumar said 65 per cent of complaints posted through the platform have received e-challans within seven days. “We have also actively sought their collaboration. We’ve also written to ACP Manoj Patil. We remain optimistic that they will recognise the value of such collaborations, especially as public demand for safer and smarter mobility grows,” he said, adding that they have partnered with a local college whose volunteers help them by verifying the reports and amplifying awareness.
“Currently, VahanScore has 300 active volunteers who assist in uploading offences. On average, over 100 traffic violations are reported daily on the platform,” he further said.
Have you noticed improvement in traffic discipline since VahanScore’s launch?
“While systemic change takes time, we’ve observed early signs of impact. The website has empowered already disciplined citizens to channel their frustration by reporting violations on it. For many, it has replaced helplessness with agency as they know that the reports lead to fines for the violators. We’re hopeful that this, with the traffic police’s efforts, will transform Pune from a city resigned to chaos to one embracing collective accountability. Discipline starts with the inspired, but sustains when the indifferent are compelled to adapt,” Kumar concluded.
