Civic Activists and Experts Join Forces to Tackle Pune’s Traffic Woes
Viman Nagar, 17th February 2025: In a determined effort to improve Pune’s worsening traffic conditions, a group of civic activists, traffic volunteers, and experts convened at Caffe & Te in Viman Nagar on Sunday to discuss solutions for the city’s traffic challenges. The meeting, which brought together individuals actively working towards safer roads, focused on practical measures to address traffic violations and inefficiencies.
One of the key proposals discussed was an alternative penalty for those caught jumping traffic signals. A prominent activist, known for managing the Twitter handle Satark Puneri, suggested a unique approach—instead of monetary fines, offenders should be made to wait for 60 minutes at the spot. The rationale behind this was that many violators jump signals to save mere seconds, and a longer waiting period could serve as a more effective deterrent than fines, which are often ignored.
Another pressing concern raised was the rampant use of illegal number plates, despite the government’s mandate for High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP). Civic activist Nachiket Deshpande emphasized the need to crack down on unauthorized manufacturers supplying illegal plates, calling for strict action to ensure compliance and improve road safety.
Bringing a data-driven perspective to the discussion, interns from IIEBM College’s PGDM program presented an analysis of traffic patterns between Wagholi and Ramwadi. Their study revealed that travel time fluctuates significantly based on the day and time, and a minor tweak in traffic management had already resulted in an average reduction of 90 seconds in commute time for all travelers within a week.
The two-hour-long discussion concluded with a collective agreement that sustained public awareness, stricter enforcement, and citizen involvement are crucial for lasting improvements in Pune’s traffic conditions. The insights and recommendations from this meeting will be compiled and submitted to the Pune Traffic Police and relevant authorities for further consideration.
