Pune: PCMC Moves to Cancel Licences of Drivers Violating BRT Lanes
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 1st October 2025: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has decided to take stringent action against private vehicle drivers who illegally enter the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors. Under the new measures, repeated offenders could face cancellation of their driving licences, officials confirmed on Wednesday. A proposal regarding this action has already been sent to the Traffic Branch of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC).
Officials said encroachment by private vehicles on the BRT lanes has steadily increased, slowing down buses operated by the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) and contributing to traffic congestion. “Drivers entering BRT lanes not only disrupt public transport but also compromise road safety. We are taking firm measures to curb this practice,” a senior PCMC official said.
PCMC has developed four main BRT corridors in the city:
Nigdi–Dapodi Route: 12 km with 18 stations, operational since August 2018.
Aundh–Ravet Corridor: 14 km with 17 stations, operational since September 2015.
Kalewadi Phata–Dehu Alandi Corridor: 7.2–11.2 km with 15 stations, operational since September 2019, featuring electric/CNG buses.
Nashik Phata–Wakad Corridor: 8.02 km, completed in 2015 and continuously upgraded.
Traffic police and PCMC officials report that despite fines, private vehicle encroachments continue in areas including Pimple Saudagar, Pimpri, Wakad, and Nigdi, creating obstacles for rapid bus transit.
Stricter Penalties for Violators
PCMC Joint City Engineer Bapusaheb Gaikwad warned, “If a private vehicle is involved in an accident on a BRT lane, the driver will not be eligible for insurance or compensation. We may also take steps to cancel their driving licence. Drivers should avoid BRT lanes and use main roads instead.”
During 2024, traffic authorities penalised 31,477 drivers for BRT lane violations, collecting fines totaling ₹1.79 crore. From January 2025, 1,762 more drivers have been fined, amounting to ₹12.94 lakh.
The administration has proposed licence cancellation for 2,500 repeat offenders. “Using CCTV cameras and historical records, we have identified vehicles that repeatedly violate BRT rules. A comprehensive list has been submitted to the RTO for necessary action,” a traffic police official said.
