Pune: Man Pays Rs 6,500 for Tyre Puncture Repair Near Koregaon Park, Exposes Fraud Targeting Drivers
Koregaon Park, 13th January 2025: A Pune resident, Dhananjay (name changed), fell victim to a sophisticated puncture scam on January 12, while driving with his family near Ghorpadi Road toward Kalyani Nagar. His ordeal sheds light on a growing issue that drivers should be wary of when traveling in the city.
Dhananjay recounted the incident to Punekar News, warning others about this fraudulent practice. “As I was driving past Ghorpadi Road, a person shouted that my car tyres had low pressure. Concerned, I slowed down and coincidentally spotted a puncture repair shop just a few meters away. Without thinking much, I pulled over to have the issue checked,” he explained.
At the repair shop, the staff inspected the tyres and claimed to find multiple punctures in one of them. They then suggested using a liquid sealant to fix the problem. The same procedure was repeated for all four tyres, with the workers attributing the damage to Dhananjay allegedly driving over broken glass.
“As I was with my family, I couldn’t analyze the situation properly and ended up paying ₹6,500 for the repairs,” he added. The repair shop charged ₹1,599 per liquid bottle and insisted on applying the sealant to all four tyres.
Reflecting on the incident, Dhananjay realized the likelihood of foul play and advised others to exercise caution. “Please double-check yourself if someone alerts you about a tyre puncture. Don’t fall prey to these scams,” he urged.
The incident has raised concerns among residents about such deceptive practices in Pune. Similar scams have been reported in other areas, targeting unsuspecting drivers who are often in a hurry or distracted.
The repair shop in question is located near MNGL CNG Station on North Main Road.
Authorities and consumer advocates recommend taking the following precautions to avoid falling victim to such scams:
Verify the Issue: If someone claims your tyre is punctured, check it yourself or drive to a trusted repair shop.
Stay Calm: Do not feel pressured to act immediately, especially if the situation seems overly coincidental.
Know the Rates: Be aware of standard charges for tyre repairs or sealants to identify inflated pricing.
