Pune Police Book Drunk Water Tanker Driver Amid Rising Public Outrage Over Fatal Accidents
In a significant development highlighting growing public safety concerns, the Kalepadal police in Pune registered a case on Sunday against a water tanker driver for allegedly operating his vehicle under the influence of alcohol in the Mohammadwadi area. This incident occurred less than a week after two separate tanker-related accidents claimed two lives within 48 hours in the same locality, sparking widespread condemnation and protests from residents.
Residents Flag Reckless Driving and Licensing Issues
Local residents have been consistently raising alarms about the reckless operation of water tankers, alleging that many drivers lack valid licenses and sometimes drive while intoxicated. This concern has intensified as dependency on private water tankers has skyrocketed across Pune's housing societies, driven by rampant construction and inconsistent water supply from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Corporator Intercepts Suspicious Tanker, Drunk Driver Caught
On Sunday, corporator Kashif Sayyad intercepted a water tanker entering a housing society after noticing its suspicious movement. "The tanker had no helper and the vehicle was in poor condition. When I asked the driver to stop, he said the handbrakes were not functional. When he got down, it became evident that he was drunk," Sayyad told reporters. He added that the housing society used a breath analyser to confirm the driver's inebriation, leading to police involvement. Sources revealed that the tanker operator is linked to a city politician.
Police Take Swift Legal Action
The Kalepadal police have booked the driver under multiple sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, including:
- Section 281: Rash or negligent driving on a public way that endangers human life or poses risk of injury.
- Section 184: Dangerous driving.
- Section 185: Driving or attempting to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The case was registered suo motu after medical reports confirmed the driver was drunk. Senior inspector Mansingh Patil stated, "We registered the case in the matter soon after it was confirmed that the driver was drunk, and a further investigation is underway."
Recent Fatal Accidents Fuel Public Anger
This incident follows two tragic accidents earlier in April:
- On April 5, 19-year-old Aariz Shaikh died after being hit by a water tanker driven by a drunk driver in the area.
- On April 7, 22-year-old Grecia Daniel Isa died when her vehicle was struck by a water tanker in Wanowrie.
These back-to-back incidents have ignited protests, with residents demanding stricter action against norm-violating tankers. "On Saturday, we held a candle march to protest against tanker operations and pay tribute to the victims. However, on Sunday, we found yet another drunk tanker driver. This shows tanker operators have little fear of authorities and continue to endanger lives," said Kashif Sayyad.
Residents Voice Dependency and Safety Fears
Residents emphasized their forced reliance on water tankers due to inadequate PMC supply. Asif Shaikh, a resident of Elina Living Housing Society in Mohammadwadi, noted, "Most drivers indulge in rash driving, and we fear them while commuting. Our society with 360 flats needs 30-31 tankers daily, but PMC sends only one for drinking water; we must buy the rest privately."
Sadik Khan from Ganga Florentina Society added, "Most societies here rely on tankers, leading to high tanker movement. While we can't stop them, authorities must ensure compliance with norms. The traffic department should deploy personnel, as there's currently no ground presence."
Police and PMC Respond with Measures
In response to the accidents, city traffic police have intensified actions against errant tanker operators. Between April 9 and 11, officials inspected around 700 tankers, seizing 26 for violations and taking action against nearly 149 others, according to an anonymous senior police officer.
Nandkishor Jagtap, head of PMC's water supply department, announced, "We will soon start using breath analysers at all tanker filling points to ensure drivers are not drunk on duty. The traffic police department has assured us it will provide the devices."
This case underscores a critical public safety issue in Pune, where rapid urbanization and water scarcity have created a dangerous dependency on poorly regulated private tankers, putting citizens at risk daily.
