Pune: Local Government Shortcomings Exposed, Hospitality Industry Targeted After Porsche Accident – United Hospitality Association

Reported by Sumit Singh

Pune, 23rd May 2024: The morning of May 19 has been marked as a dark chapter in Pune’s history after a drunk teenager rammed his Porsche car into a bike resulting in the deaths of two IT professionals in Kalyani Nagar.

Adv. Ajinkya S. Shinde, Vice President of the United Hospitality Association (UHA), addressed these events with strong criticism of the local government and its agencies.

“The morning of May 19 marked a dark chapter in our city’s history with the occurrence of appalling incidents,” said Shinde. “While we express our remorse for these events, it is imperative to address the inadequacies and failures of government agencies in maintaining order within the city.”

Shinde emphasized that the subsequent actions taken by authorities appear to be attempts to mask these shortcomings. He pointed out that the local bodies have unfairly targeted the hospitality industry, adopting a misguided narrative. “The heavy-handed approach by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) towards restaurants, whether serving alcohol or not, only serves to harass legitimate businesses and deflect attention from institutional failings,” he said.

According to Shinde, such actions not only fail to address the root causes of the issues but also foster a sense of negativity within society. He highlighted the systemic harassment endured by the hospitality sector, which is often criticized following incidents, while illegal establishments and hawkers continue to operate under political protection. “The recurring targeting of the hospitality sector following incidents reflects a systemic harassment endured by an industry susceptible to criticism,” Shinde added.

He questioned the effectiveness of targeting restaurants in preventing drink-driving incidents and the overall consumption of alcohol, given the accessibility of liquor stores. “Will targeting restaurants prevent drink-driving incidents? Will it deter individuals from consuming alcohol, when liquor stores remain readily accessible?” he asked.

Shinde called for law enforcement agencies, particularly the Pune police and excise departments, to enforce regulations effectively and address the underlying issues. He also criticized the Corporation for failing to implement adequate traffic calming measures, such as speed breakers in residential areas. “Must tragedies occur before action is taken?” Shinde questioned.

The hospitality association’s vice president argued that instead of penalizing the entire restaurant industry, authorities should focus on the violators while supporting law-abiding establishments. He raised concerns about the lack of regular drink-and-drive checkpoints in the city, highlighting the need for comprehensive coverage of all entry and exit points to ensure public safety.

“Tragic incidents like the one that occurred on May 19 underscore the urgency of implementing efficient measures to prevent such occurrences,” said Shinde. He stressed that proactive rather than reactive measures are essential. “Preventative measures, such as robust enforcement of drunk driving laws and the implementation of effective checkpoints, must be implemented proactively rather than reactively.”

Shinde concluded by urging authorities to address these shortcomings and prioritize public safety through sustained efforts and decisive action. “Only through sustained efforts and decisive action can we hope to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future,” he said.