Pune, 10 April 2026: In the wake of two fatal tanker accidents within a span of 48 hours, the Pune traffic police launched a major crackdown across the city, taking action against 335 tanker vehicles in a single day.
During the operation on Thursday, 40 tankers were fined, while 20 were seized and taken to traffic police offices and local police stations. The remaining vehicles were penalized for various violations under the Motor Vehicles Act, including lack of valid permits and expired fitness certificates. A key focus of the drive was on heavy vehicles violating peak-hour entry restrictions.
The enforcement drive follows two tragic incidents that have raised serious concerns about road safety in the city. On April 8, 22-year-old engineer Gracia Daniel Issa was killed after a tanker rammed into her moped near Ganga Satellite Society in Wanowrie during the morning rush hour.
Just day earlier, on April 5, 19-year-old Arij Ejaz Sheikh died in a similar accident near NIBM Road, where the tanker driver was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.
Traffic officials stated that while enforcement is being intensified, infrastructure issues also play a major role in such accidents. They explained that accident-prone areas require better road design, improved junction planning, clear signage, and traffic calming measures to prevent such tragedies.
Over the past four months, the traffic police have already registered cases against around 350 vehicles for violating peak-hour restrictions. In serious cases, authorities have invoked stringent charges such as attempt to culpable homicide, indicating a stricter approach towards reckless driving and rule violations.
