Pune: Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Police Imposes Rs 62 Lakh Penalty On Heavy Vehicles, Plans ‘No Honking Day’ To Reduce Noise Pollution

Varad Bhatkhande

Chinchwad, 2nd November 2023: To alleviate traffic congestion in Pimpri Chinchwad, Traffic Police Branch has enacted a ban on heavy vehicles during specific hours in the city. From October 16 to November 1, over 6,000 heavy vehicles were penalized, resulting in fines totalling ₹61.71 lakhs.

Pimpri-Chinchwad encompasses various industrial zones, IT parks, pilgrimage sites, and markets, which contribute to a significant presence of heavy goods vehicles. This surge in traffic has led to an increase in accidents.

In response, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Branch has prohibited heavy vehicles from entering the city between 8 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 9 PM. Violators of this restriction face penalties. The traffic police are also closely monitoring violations such as triple-seat travel, luxury buses, auto-rickshaws over fillings, illegal parking, loud silencers, and driving against the flow of traffic, with stringent action to be taken against offenders.

Bapu Bangar, DCP (Traffic Branch), stated, “In the future, legal action will be taken against drivers who violate traffic rules. Everyone must obey these rules, as this greatly reduces the risk of potential accidents. Therefore, everyone should exercise caution and adhere to the rules.”

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Department is also considering implementing a weekly “no honking day” within the area to promote noise reduction, beginning with administrative employees as part of an initial trial.