Pune Traffic Police Acting Like Receipting Agents, Not Regulators: BJP’s Khardekar

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 9th April 2025: Sandeep Khardekar, Maharashtra spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has written to Pune Traffic Police, urging them to adopt a more balanced, transparent, and citizen-friendly approach while taking action against traffic violations—particularly those involving two-wheelers.

In a letter addressed to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amol Zende, Khardekar acknowledged the need for strict action against undisciplined parking and errant drivers but raised concerns about what he described as the growing gap between citizens and traffic police.

“Undisciplined drivers and parking are certainly a problem, and the ongoing action is justified. However, the manner in which vehicles—particularly two-wheelers—are lifted from no-parking zones often leads to public controversy, with videos going viral on social media,” Khardekar stated.

Congestion Caused During Action in Residential Areas
Citing his own locality, Khardekar pointed out that regular action in Karvenagar leads to traffic congestion, especially on the narrow stretch from Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha to Dudhan Lawns. He noted that the presence of towing vehicles on such roads causes more traffic jams than it resolves.

He further raised concerns about traffic police deployment, noting their frequent absence at congested junctions and presence in groups far from signals or in “no-entry” areas.

“It raises the question whether traffic police are there to regulate traffic in a jam-packed city or simply to issue challans,” he remarked, demanding better supervision and strategic deployment.

Demands for Fair and Efficient Enforcement

In the letter, Khardekar presented several key demands:

On-the-spot fine collection: Citizens willing to pay fines immediately should not be inconvenienced by having their vehicles towed to distant police stations.

Uniform action across vehicle types: Two-wheelers are often singled out, while four-wheelers and commercial vehicles in the same area are ignored. Khardekar urged for equal treatment and use of mobile-based challans for all violators.

Deployment in congested areas: He called for traffic police or wardens to be posted consistently at daily congestion points, not just at predetermined zones.

Maintenance of traffic signs: Many “No Parking,” “P1,” “P2,” and “No Entry” signs across the city are in disrepair. He appealed for their immediate improvement.

Monitoring heavy vehicles: Highlighting a photo showing a traffic police team towing a two-wheeler while a heavy mixer truck passes nearby unchecked, Khardekar pointed out the public frustration over selective enforcement.

Call for Sympathetic Consideration
“Citizens are increasingly displeased with the contradictory nature of traffic enforcement. I hope you will consider these suggestions sympathetically and implement necessary changes,” Khardekar concluded.

The Pune Traffic Police is yet to issue an official response to the letter.