Pune: Wagholi Traffic Chaos, Negligence and Bribery Invite Accidents, Residents demand ActionÂ
Pune: Wagholi Traffic Chaos, Negligence and Bribery Invite Accidents, Residents demand ActionÂ
A horrific accident in Wagholi has once again exposed the city’s traffic woes, with residents alleging that negligence and bribery are major contributors to the chaos. Anil Kumar Mishra, President of Wagholi Against Corruption Organization (Team WACO), has sounded a warning, urging the traffic police department to enforce rules and stop accepting bribes within a month, or face severe protests.
The accident, which occurred yesterday night, has highlighted the rampant disregard for traffic rules in Wagholi. Three-seater rickshaws are often overloaded with 8-9 passengers, while rickshaws and other vehicles, including those without number plates, speed through the streets in the wrong direction. Dumpers, banned during certain hours, continue to operate with impunity, and unauthorized buses cause daily traffic jams near Kesnand Phata and ICICI Bank.
“The administration’s indifference and corruption are responsible for this mess,” said Mishra. “Innocent lives were lost in yesterday’s accident. We demand that the traffic police department stop accepting bribes and enforce traffic rules within a month. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to severely protest against this injustice.”
Residents have also complained about the lack of police presence at designated areas, such as Bakori Phata and Wagheshwar Mandir Chowk, and the failure to enforce strict penalties for Drink and Drive offenses. The traffic chaos is further exacerbated when traffic signals go out, causing roads to be blocked.
The issue has assumed urgency, with Pune witnessing a spate of accidents in recent days. According to reports, 72 accidents have occurred in the city, with 12 involving dumpers . The traffic police have penalized over 3,000 drivers for drunk driving in the last three months, but residents say more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem.
As the citizens of Wagholi demand action, the administration must take immediate steps to restore order on the city’s roads and prevent further loss of life.
