Crackdown On Heavy Vehicles In Pune After Spike In Fatal Accidents; Licences To Be Cancelled, Vehicles Seized

Pune, 12th June 2025: In light of a troubling rise in fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles, the Pune Police have announced a strict crackdown on dumpers, trucks, and cement mixers operating within city limits. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated on Wednesday (11th June) that heavy vehicles linked to serious accidents over the past five years will be identified and seized. Additionally, the driving licences of the operators involved will be cancelled.

This announcement follows a recent fatal incident at Gangadham Chowk in the city’s Market Yard area, where a woman named Deepali Soni died after a two-wheeler she was riding pillion on was hit by a truck. Her father-in-law, who was riding the vehicle, sustained serious injuries.

Commissioner Kumar expressed concern over repeated violations of traffic norms by drivers of heavy vehicles, despite existing restrictions on their movement along key city routes. He noted that these violations are not only causing severe traffic congestion but are also directly contributing to the rising number of fatal accidents in Pune.

According to police data, Pune recorded 334 fatal accidents in 2023, resulting in 345 deaths. In just the first five months of 2024, 133 people have lost their lives in road accidents across various parts of the city.

As part of the enforcement drive, police will take legal action that includes seizing non-compliant vehicles, revoking driver licences, and initiating court proceedings against violators. The campaign aims to improve road safety and reduce the number of preventable deaths caused by reckless driving and traffic violations.

To support this effort, the Traffic Department and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are working in coordination to streamline traffic movement. Authorities have also urged the public to follow traffic rules diligently to ensure safety for all road users.