PUNE: The Road Safety Network (RSN), comprising NGOs, experts, and individuals, has written to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. They have expressed disappointment over his directions to the Pune Traffic Police on diluting helmet enforcement in the city and urged him to give them a free hand to carry out on ground enforcement.

The CM directed city traffic police in June to stop on-ground enforcement and use CCTV footage for implementing helmet rule in instead.

The letter pointed out the ineffectiveness of enforcement via CCTV and asserted that this system does not have any deterrent effect on violators. Moreover, RSN members have also brought to the CM’s notice that issuing e-Challan on the basis of CCTV footage is not supported by the Motor Vehicles Act.

Information obtained by Parisar revealed that there is no mechanism in place to ensure violators pay the fines issued by e-Challan. 

Ranjit Gadgil, Program Director, Parisar said “Such direction given by Chief Minister demotivates police force and could invite contempt from the High Court.”