The Times of India        23.11.2010

160 motorists penalised for parking on pavements, cycle tracks

PUNE: The traffic police, over the last two days, collected Rs 1.75 lakh by penalising 160 motorists for parking on footpaths and cycle tracks, in various parts of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Manoj Patil, said, "The traffic police's Facebook account has been receiving great response on this drive."

Patil said, ever since the drive, 2,400 people have posted their comments. "We expect this number to cross the 3,000 mark by the end of this week and 5,000 by the month end", he said.Patil said, people, while giving suggestions, also gave information about more vehicles parked on footpaths and cycle tracks. "They are also taking part in discussions. Responses from women and youth have been most encouraging," he said.

Regular updates on the drive were being posted on the Facebook account. "Footpaths are meant for pedestrians. However, in many areas, motorists have been found parking their vehicles on these spaces forcing pedestrians to walk on the road, putting their lives in danger and also reducing the carriage width (space meant for vehicular traffic) of the road", Patil said. The traffic police have created 35 teams, with 2-3 personnel on each team, to carry out the drive.

Chandmal Parmar, traffic activist and member of traffic mobility committee, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation ( PCMC), said, "Pedestrians are neglected though they are major road users. Cycle tracks and footpaths are encroached on by vehicles, hawkers and handcart vendors. Hence, the traffic police should ensure that the footpaths remain free for pedestrians."