Pune: The traffic police have taken strict action against motorcyclists over the last one week for using illegal modified ‘ silencers and horns and increasing noise pollution in the city.Action was initiated against 2,822 riders during the special drive. Additional commissioner of police Manoj Patil said, “We have seized and removed 900 modified silencers fitted illegally. It was disturbing the peace and tranquility in the city. So far, fines exceeding Rs30 lakh have been collected during the crackdown.”A bulldozer was used to crush the seized silencers on the premises of the traffic police headquarters in Yerawada on Wednesday.Patil said, “We have been receiving innumerable complaints from different parts of the city about noisy motorcycles that are a menace — especially near examination halls and for senior citizens. Action was heightened on the occasion of World Hearing Day on March 3.”Violations were mainly reported in areas like Hadapsar, Koregaon Park, Kharadi, the Airport, Satara Road, Deccan, Kothrud, Warje and Sinhagad Road. A fine of Rs1,000 is imposed for the first offence and Rs2,000 for the second, he said.“The silencers were crushed using a bulldozer to ensure the seized contraptions are not reused,” he added. Police said the drive will be intensified in the coming days and have appealed to motorists to follow traffic rules.“We have registered cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against a couple of shopkeepers for selling and installing illegal silencers. Our teams will issue notices to garages and vendors for such installations. Strict legal action will follow anyone found using modified or illegal silencers,” he added.
