Pune: No Routine Traffic Challans Till August 31 as Police Commissioner Orders Focus on Easing Congestion; Drunk Driving Enforcement To Continue
Pune, 15th August 2026: Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has ordered a temporary suspension of routine penal action against traffic violations, directing the traffic police to focus on managing congestion and improving road safety until August 31.
The decision was taken during a review meeting on Thursday amid growing traffic congestion and a rise in serious and fatal accidents across the city.
Traffic personnel have been directed to deposit the e-challan devices used for routine enforcement at police headquarters. Only police sub-inspectors and senior officers will be authorised to use the devices for serious violations, including no-entry violations by heavy vehicles. Enforcement through CCTV cameras will continue.
“During the monsoon, traffic movement slows down, leading to congestion. Personnel should remain at congestion-prone locations, identify the causes and take immediate steps to ease traffic,” Kumar said in his order.
Traffic officers have also been asked to review signal timings, identify congestion hotspots, prevent roadside and corner parking, and stop autorickshaws from obstructing traffic at junctions. Officers have been directed to ensure that personnel remain on the roads during peak hours instead of carrying out enforcement away from busy junctions.
The commissioner has also ordered a review of accident-prone stretches and black spots in Pune and its suburbs. Traffic officials have been asked to coordinate with relevant agencies to implement measures to prevent accidents.
While routine enforcement has been suspended, action against drunk driving will continue. Special teams comprising traffic officers and personnel will patrol the city’s seven police divisions at night to check drunk driving.
The police have been directed to use body cameras during such operations and ensure that enforcement is monitored by senior officers. Officers will be rotated to prevent repeated deployment at the same locations.
The commissioner has also ordered checks to prevent irregularities during enforcement, including field verification of operations.
Each of the city’s seven divisions will have an emergency traffic team comprising four personnel on two motorcycles. The teams will be deployed to reach congestion spots and other emergencies quickly and restore traffic movement.
The traffic branch will also train 200 newly inducted personnel. Police have additionally been directed to take action against heavy vehicles entering the city in violation of restrictions.
The changes come amid increasing criticism over traffic congestion and accidents, with the police commissioner directing the traffic branch to prioritise traffic regulation, accident prevention and smoother movement over routine challan collection.
