Pune Police Launches Rs 50,000 Reward Scheme for Citizen Traffic Violation Reports
In a significant move to enhance road safety and civic participation, the Pune city traffic police have announced a substantial reward of Rs 50,000 for individuals who report the highest number of traffic offences using the official Pune Traffic Police (PTP) application. This initiative was unveiled on Monday during a special address to 600 motorists who were recently caught for drunk driving in the city.
Encouraging Responsible Citizenship and App Usage
Joint Police Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma spoke at the event, urging the attendees to become responsible citizens by strictly adhering to traffic regulations. He emphasized the importance of downloading the PTP app as a tool for reporting violations and also reiterated the critical need for wearing helmets while riding. "I also urge you to wear helmets," Sharma stated, highlighting basic safety measures.
To support rehabilitation and awareness, the Pune city police conduct weekly counselling sessions every Monday at the Shivajinagar police headquarters, specifically targeting motorists apprehended for drunk driving. These sessions aim to educate offenders on the dangers of such behavior and promote safer driving habits.
How the PTP App Works and Its Impact
Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil provided detailed insights into the functionality of the PTP app during the announcement. "Citizens can easily download the PTP app on their cellphones and use it to take photographs or videos of traffic offences," he explained. The app allows users to report a wide range of violations, including:
- Triple-seat riding on two-wheelers
- Illegal parking on footpaths
- Use of fancy or non-standard number plates
- Rash and negligent driving
- Using a mobile phone while driving
- Double parking that obstructs traffic flow
Patil further announced, "We have decided to reward Rs 50,000 to the person(s) who report the most traffic offences in a year on the PTP app." This annual reward is designed to incentivize consistent and active participation from the public in monitoring and reporting traffic misconduct.
Verification Process and Current Statistics
The police have implemented a rigorous verification system to ensure the accuracy and fairness of reports submitted through the app. "Our team carefully verifies all photos and videos submitted on the app before issuing online challans," Patil noted. This step is crucial to prevent misuse and maintain the integrity of the enforcement process.
To date, the initiative has seen substantial engagement from citizens, with approximately 1.80 lakh traffic offences uploaded via the PTP app. Out of these reports, the police have successfully issued challans against 1.16 lakh motorists, demonstrating the app's effectiveness in facilitating enforcement actions.
This reward scheme represents a proactive approach by the Pune traffic police to leverage technology and community involvement in tackling traffic violations, ultimately aiming to create safer roads and foster a culture of compliance among motorists.
