Pune Traffic Police App Revolutionizes Citizen Reporting with 240,000 Complaints and 170,000 Challans
Pune, now spanning approximately 518 square kilometers post-merger, stands as Maharashtra's largest municipal area. This expansion has brought with it a surge in vehicular traffic, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, buses, trucks, and tempos. According to the TomTom Traffic Index, congestion levels in the city have escalated by 5.4% from 2024 to 2025, exacerbating daily road chaos.
Amid this traffic boom, thousands of instances of road indiscipline emerge each day. However, the city's CCTV coverage remains insufficient to monitor offenders effectively. Compounding the issue, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav revealed to TOI that only around 675 to 700 traffic police personnel are deployed daily to oversee this vast road network. At this critical juncture, citizens have become essential allies in upholding law and order.
Citizen Empowerment Through Technology
In response to these challenges, the Pune Traffic Police (PTP) app was launched on June 15, 2025, by the late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Designed to harness the extra eyes of app users, this portal assists police in locating and penalizing traffic rule violators. Since its inception, the app has processed approximately 240,000 complaints, with 170,000 resulting in challans, while the remainder were declined after verification.
Siraj Dokadia, a resident of Wagholi, frequently observes traffic violations during his commute to Kharadi. Initially, he reported these on social media platform X, but now he utilizes the PTP app, praising it as "a good initiative to make reporting faster." Dokadia explained, "The app captures time and location automatically, so I only need to select the violation and enter the licence plate number. It also provides updates on whether a challan has been issued, ensuring my efforts are not wasted. The resolution is speedy, and the anonymity feature enhances safety."
As an IT professional, Dokadia emphasized the app's role in expanding surveillance, noting that police verify claims based on submitted photos and information, making the process foolproof. He primarily reports violations like triple-seat riding, fancy number plates, and tinted glasses, which he views as threats to public safety. In January, Dokadia had the second-highest submissions leading to challans, earning a cash prize of Rs 25,000, and in February, he received a certificate and memento from the police.
User Experiences and Safety Features
Another IT professional, who requested anonymity, also commended the app's user safety features. "I notice multiple violations during walks or daily activities. Reporting them is satisfying, especially for issues like tinted windows, which exist to ensure public safety. The app facilitates easy reporting, and its features have improved, offering clarity on offences and allowing photos from a distance to reduce fear of repercussions," they said. This user highlighted that the app provides challan numbers, maintains digital records, and explains reasons for rejections.
Challenges and Suggestions for Improvement
Despite its successes, some users have identified areas for enhancement. Dilip Paranjpe, a Pashan resident, began using the app at its launch and noted several lacunae. "The process requires photos to be taken within the app, but in traffic, by the time you open it—sometimes needing OTP verification—and click, the vehicle is gone. It's easier to use the phone camera and upload photos," he told TOI. Paranjpe also pointed out that for fancy number plates, the app demands the registration number, which can be hard to read due to stylized or small characters. He believes these changes could make the app more useful.
Kinjal Chauhan, a Koregaon Park resident, shared unsettling experiences despite praising the app's efficiency. "I often walk on roads because footpaths are used for parking. After reporting a car with three existing challans, I noticed it following me a couple of times. Clicking pictures cautiously is necessary, as being noticed could be unsafe," she said. Chauhan compared Pune to Mumbai, citing disorganized and undisciplined motorists as a key issue. "At any Yerawada junction, you can record multiple violations in minutes. The app allows capturing wrong-side driving, but with gridlocked vehicles, it's hard to get the right shot, and photos blur if moving," she added.
How the App Operates
Upon downloading the app, users enter their mobile number and receive an OTP for login. They can choose between ‘Quick Reporting’—clicking a picture or video first, then selecting a violation—or ‘Report Violation’—picking a violation first, then capturing media. An option to check previously reported violations is also available.
DCP Jadhav reported that the app receives about 2,000 violations daily, with 75% converted into challans after verification by a dedicated team. "Even a small doubt leads to rejection. Vehicle owners can raise grievances via the app if wrongly fined," he said. Currently, 13 violations, such as triple-seat riding and double parking, are reportable, as they are easy for residents to capture. Jadhav added that feedback is being incorporated to make the app more seamless since its launch less than a year ago.
Top five app users each month receive cash prizes (Rs 50,000 for first place) and certificates, with no person eligible for the money more than once.
Empowerment Over Snitching
Nishit Kamat, a city-based transportation strategist and designer, views the app as empowering citizens rather than encouraging snitching. "It provides an outlet for frustration and helps hold each other accountable. Initial problems are expected with any system, and it will evolve. Even frequent reporters think twice before breaking rules themselves," he said.
Users like Siraj Dokadia see the app as a cost-effective way for police to expand coverage until infrastructure improves. "The police can't be everywhere at all times, so this initiative enables citizens to report violations," he noted. However, Anne Anish, a corporate trainer, suggested improvements for issues like abandoned vehicles, recommending auto-escalation for unread complaints and dedicated categories with removal timelines.
As Pune grapples with rising congestion and limited enforcement resources, the PTP app stands as a pivotal tool in fostering citizen participation and enhancing road safety across the sprawling metropolis.
