Vigilant Punekars Use Social Media To Keep Traffic Violators & Police On Their Toes | X
Punekars and traffic rules often appear to be at odds. From riding bikes without helmets to driving on footpaths to escape traffic jams, the citizens of Pune, Maharashtra’s cultural capital, have gained notoriety for regularly disregarding traffic laws.
Amid the chaos on the streets, a few vigilant Punekars offer a ray of hope. When they spot traffic violations, they take to X (formerly Twitter) to report the incidents to the traffic police.
Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Ninaad Pai, a software engineer and one of the vigilant Punekars, said, “The problem isn’t new; it has always existed. However, as the city’s population has surged, the impact of this reckless driving culture has become far more visible. Earlier, when the city was smaller, there were fewer vehicles and less congestion. This meant that even if people drove badly, the consequences weren’t severe. But now, with the city’s exponential growth, poor driving habits have escalated into a mix of entitlement, aggression, and outright lawlessness.”
Nachiket Deshpande, a banker by profession and another vigilant Punekar, added that the Pune Traffic Police is falling short in managing traffic. “The traffic police are not seen taking any proactive action. Their physical active presence is barely seen. Citizens are on their own and hence, they have to take to social media to alert the police as well as to create awareness,” he added.
Raja Subramani, a civic activist, highlighted that the Pune Traffic Police is “possibly understaffed.” “Violations like signal jumping and wrong-side riding have become rampant and citizens have no option but to report on social media. The good part is that traffic police respond and share challans,” he added.
How is the driving sense of Punekars?
When asked about the driving sense of Punekars, the consensus was unanimous: it’s pathetic. Pai said, “Many Punekars lack basic traffic sense. They not only break the rules but also respond with arrogance instead of acknowledging their mistake. This leads to cases of road rage, which is both verbal and physical.” He added that the “real change” would happen when rule-breaking comes at a “tangible cost.” “The fear of strict penalties and public shaming through viral videos would certainly work better than expecting people to voluntarily be responsible. Besides, the traffic police must ramp up their surveillance — more CCTV cameras, automatic fines, AI-driven traffic monitoring, etc. Additionally, they must ensure that influential people do not get away,” he further said.
Deshpande shared that earlier he tried reasoning with the traffic offenders but was met with aggression and a ‘gunda’ attitude. “Now, I don’t get into altercations on the road. I just let the dashcam do the job, staying inside the car,” he said, adding that the traffic police must be ruthless in their approach. “As strict enforcement goes on for months, people will start displaying better traffic discipline,” he added. Subramani noted that “heavy and non-negotiable fines can dramatically bring down the violations.”
What must the traffic police do?
Pai suggested that the traffic police must impound vehicles in case of repeat offences. “The police should also cancel the licenses of the offenders and blacklist them,” he said. Subramani advised that the police should station themselves at fuel pumps and order the removal of non-standard number plates. Deshpande recommended that the pending e-challans must be collected on priority.
What must be done to improve Pune’s traffic situation?
“Upgrading and maintaining road infrastructure and optimising signal systems can alleviate traffic congestion. Leveraging technology for real-time traffic monitoring can enhance efficiency. Enhancing the reliability and reach of public transportation can reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, thereby decreasing congestion,” Pai emphasised. “A coordinated approach involving the traffic police, municipal authorities, and citizens is crucial. Regular feedback mechanisms and community policing initiatives can bridge gaps and foster trust,” he added.
