Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad witnessed a dramatic 45% surge in drunk driving cases this New Year's Eve, with police registering a total of 448 cases compared to 310 last year. This sharp increase has raised questions about the effectiveness of enforcement measures, especially as the celebrations occurred on a weekday.
Intensified Police Checks Across the City
Senior police officials attributed the higher number of cases to a significantly intensified checking drive. Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil stated that the force conducted extensive nakabandi operations at major junctions and key entry and exit points. Thirty special nakabandi spots were established specifically to catch inebriated drivers.
"We deployed special teams in politically sensitive areas, all equipped with breath analysers. Our focus was on zones with a high density of restaurants, bars, and pubs, such as Kalyaninagar, Kharadi, Koregaon Park, and Baner," Patil explained. Police also checked four-wheelers, including luxury cars, and urged establishments to arrange transport for intoxicated patrons.
Of the total cases, 208 were registered in Pune city limits, while Pimpri Chinchwad recorded 240 cases. In the previous year, the figures stood at 85 and 225 respectively.
Residents Report Gaps in Enforcement
Despite the widespread checks, several residents pointed out lapses in the police crackdown. Bavdhan resident Shekhar Kulkarni noted that while main roads were monitored, internal roads and bylanes saw youngsters speeding unchecked. Mukund Arya from Kharadi reported that police, at some checkpoints, ignored violations like triple-seat riding on bikes.
The festive atmosphere also brought chaos to some areas. Erandwane resident Sayalee Kulkarni described FC Road as overwhelmingly crowded, while Amruta Bhatia from Aundh said traffic near Balewadi High Street came to a standstill as people stopped for selfies.
Conversely, some citizens, like Shivajinagar's Anita Kulkarni, chose caution, opting for cabs or staying in due to awareness of police checks and the fact that January 1 was a working day.
Subdued Celebrations and Excise Department Action
The overall New Year's Eve response was relatively muted, according to Amit Sharma, past president of the Poona Hoteliers' Association. He cited the weekday factor, leading to a nearly 25% lower footfall compared to last year. Many establishments saw dining-focused business rather than large parties, with some even cancelling events due to weak demand and high costs like music copyright licensing.
Meanwhile, the state excise department was active, issuing a staggering 3 lakh drinking permits in three days for 125 private parties. However, in a late-night raid on a plush apartment on North Main Road, officials busted an illegal party. They rounded up 71 revellers, including nine minors, and seized liquor worth over Rs 15,000. The event was allegedly organized by a 22-year-old from Kharadi who promoted it on social media, charging Rs 800 per entry.
While police action was visible, the spike in cases underscores the persistent challenge of drunk driving in the city, calling for a continuous and evolving strategy for road safety.
