PUNE: Uncovered
sand trucks and rashly driven
water tankers have contributed to accidents in the city.
Last July, six techies died on the spot after a speeding water tanker jumped the median and rammed into their mini-bus on Pune-Ahmednagar Road.
Heavy vehicles are banned on the city’s roads from 8am till noon and from 4pm till 9pm. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ashok Morale said action is being taken against vehicles ferrying sand by the traffic police, Regional Transport Authority and the revenue department.
Last year, a citizens’ group from Ahmednagar Road had reached out to the traffic police to ensure that water tankers, milk tankers and private buses are not allowed on their stretch.
Heavy vehicles coming from Chinchwad, Bhosari, Khadki and Vishrantwadi create the most chaos, pointed out Sapna Abraham, a Yerawada resident. “The stretch from Shastrinagar Chowk to Bypass Chowk is most prone to traffic snarls,” she added.
The movement of trucks ferrying sand and water tankers are dangerous. Uncovered trucks spill sand causing skidding. Water tankers or oil tankers also spill leading to accidents. Revenue officials are keeping track of such vehicles, the traffic police said.
Shirur tehsildar Ranjit Bhosale said nearly 100 sand ferrying trucks have been impounded in his jurisdiction. “The action is for illegal transportation and for uncovered trucks,’’ Bhosale said.
The RTA has revised fines for overloading, transport of more sand than stipulated and evasion of royalties. Officials carry out random checks and impose on-the-spot fines.
The RTA has also instructed owners of trucks carrying sand to cover their vehicles. A circular says that a sand truck without a cover will be fined up to Rs 9,000 and a suspension of permit for 30 days. Earlier, the maximum fine was Rs 3,000.
Kirkatwadi and Nanded villagers took to the streets to prevent over 20 trucks and containers from transporting sand and crushed stones.
Representative image
