Pune: The Kharadi police on Tuesday seized 45 two-wheelers, including Bullet motorcycles, equipped with illegally modified silencers and crushed the exhausts with a bulldozer as part of a major crackdown intended to send a strong warning to users of such devices.The action followed numerous complaints from frustrated residents who said the loud, firecracker-like noises emitted from the devices had turned their neighbourhood into a virtual war zone.Officers said young riders were ripping out company-fitted silencers and installing modified exhausts designed purely to create deafening noise while tearing through residential lanes. “The stunt not only flouted the Motor Vehicles Act but also shattered public peace, especially during late evening and night hours,” an officer said.During multiple patrols, police teams set up checkpoints across key routes and intercepted two-wheelers producing loud noises. The modified silencers were removed on the spot, replaced with original firm-approved exhausts, and legal action was initiated against the offenders.Senior inspector Sanjay Chavan said the drive aimed to restore public peace. “We received numerous complaints from the residents about extreme noise caused by modified silencers. Such alterations are illegal and create disturbance, as well as safety risks. Strict action will continue against anyone violating motor vehicle norms,” he said.Residents welcomed the police crackdown, saying the noise had become unbearable. Neha Satav, a resident living near a busy internal road, said the sounds made by the modified silencers resembled continuous firecrackers. “It was like repeated firecrackers going off outside our homes, especially at night, disturbing children and senior citizens almost daily,” she said.Another resident, IT professional Rohan Mehta, said deliberate loud revving by riders had made it difficult to sleep or work from home. “We had complained several times. So, this action has brought relief,” he said.Police later crushed the confiscated modified silencers using a bulldozer to prevent reuse and send a strong message to violators. Officers said similar enforcement drives would continue to curb reckless riding and illegal vehicle modifications. The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Kharadi police investigation team led by sub-inspector Rahul Kolpe.The police have appealed to the Kharadi resident to immediately report instances of motorcycles creating explosive noise or violating traffic norms, assuring prompt action against offenders.Overall, the Pune traffic police have seized 650 motorcycles with modified silencers across the city over the last five days. Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Himmat Jadhav said, “Our teams have taken actions in the areas of Wagholi, Yerawada, Katraj, Sinhagad Road, Warje and other parts of the city. We have seized these vehicles and will release them only after collecting fines. We are planning to arrange a counselling session for the youngsters who have fitted illegal modified silencers to their motorcycles.”
