The Pune traffic police have been forced to suspend the towing of illegally parked vehicles, leading to significant traffic congestion across the city. This action comes after the contract with a private company, engaged by the government to assist the traffic department, officially lapsed on November 29.
Contract Lapse Halts Enforcement, Snarls Traffic
With the towing vans now off the roads, the immediate impact has been severe traffic snarls on several prime arteries. Key roads affected include the busy Pune-Satara Road, FC Road, JM Road, and the perennially congested Swargate junction. The problem has also spilled over to the older parts of the city, impacting areas around Shivaji Road, Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, and Bajirao Road.
Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil confirmed the development, stating that the enforcement of no-parking rules has been severely hampered. "The contract has lapsed. We have stopped towing the vehicles that are parked in the no-parking areas on the road," Patil told TOI.
Photographs and E-Challans: A Limited Solution
In the absence of towing, traffic personnel have resorted to taking photographs of vehicles parked illegally and generating online challans (e-challans). However, Patil admitted the limitations of this approach. "This method has limitations because we cannot move the vehicles out of the no-parking zones," he explained.
Typically, the city's traffic enforcement involves picking up two-wheelers and towing away four-wheelers that violate parking regulations in designated P1 or P2 zones. "Without a contract, the towing vans cannot operate, and it becomes illegal to tow or pick up vehicles from the no-parking zones," Patil added, highlighting the legal bind.
Election Code of Conduct Delays Contract Renewal
The process to renew the crucial contract is stuck in bureaucratic and procedural delays. Patil revealed that the necessary documents were prepared and sent to the state home department for renewal. "It is still with the home department," he said.
A senior police officer provided further context, pointing to the model code of conduct enforced due to elections as a major hurdle. "The city traffic on behalf of the state govt has sent the contract for authorisation. The contract cannot be renewed until the elections are over due to the code of conduct. We will have to wait till January end," the officer stated.
AI Cameras Deployed to Manage the Crisis
While grappling with the towing issue, the traffic police and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are relying on technology to manage the situation. They have implemented several measures, including the deployment of AI-powered CCTV cameras, to penalize traffic violations and illegal parking.
These smart cameras are designed to automatically detect and mark violators, issuing fines for illegal parking and other traffic offences. Authorities have recently installed several such AI-based CCTV cameras on FC Road and around the Lohegaon Airport area to enhance surveillance and enforcement.
The current situation underscores the critical role of physical vehicle removal in maintaining traffic flow in a congested city like Pune, even as authorities ramp up digital monitoring solutions.
