Pimpri-Chinchwad: Illegal Modification of Silencer in Bullet and Sportsbikes Attracts Fines
Mehab Qureshi
Pimpri-Chinchwad, November 17, 2020: In a bid to keep a check on rising noise pollution in the city, Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Krishna Prakash has ordered to take action against the bullet riders who have allegedly replaced the original silencer with loud ones.
Outraged by this, Prakash spoke to all the police-in-charge and ordered them to take action against youngsters who drive bullets and have replaced the silencer with louder once, adding to noise pollution.
After receiving this order, the traffic police immediately started taking action from October 18, 2020, against those who changed the Bullet’s silencer, drivers using fancy number plates, flashlights, or loud horns are also prosecuted. Accordingly, the traffic police took action against 906 bullet riders in the last 25 days. A fine of Rs 9,26,800 fines has been collected.
Speaking to Punekarnews.in, ACP (Traffic), Shrikant Desale said, “A fine of Rs 1000 has been imposed on every driver who has modified their silencer. Usually, the caught bikes are Royal Enfield bullets and other sportsbikes as well. It is an appeal from the traffic department to stop using such silencers. We have also sent notices to the garage owners who modify these vehicles, and we will strictly continue to take action against such offenders”.
“My only request to all the bike owners is if you have modified your vehicles get it back to its original state,” added Desale.
According to Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, an offense of Rs 1000 is imposed if the silencer is modified, adding to noise pollution. However, if caught for the second time, a fine of Rs 2000 will be charged, and if the same offense continues, the vehicle is then seized.
“Pune is known to be a bikers paradise and so we understand the exhibits that follows it. But at the same we should not forget the families with kids and senior citizens sharing the same living space.The loud noise and chaos should not deter their peace and daily routine and shall be better if those activities are allowed within a defined area in the city or outside the city limits”, said Sharad Verma, chairman of Shriyans Housing society.
Tejaswini Dhomse Sawai, president, Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Societies Federation said, “We welcome this decision taken by the Traffic Police because we have been facing the same issue within society limits as well. Many IT professionals tend to replace their silencers, causing alot of noise pollution and accidents due to rash driving.”
