Bullet Bikes Noise Pollution: Pune Police Seize Bikes and Crush Their Silencers Under a Road Roller in Kharadi
PUNE – Taking a decisive stand against rising noise pollution, the Pune Police conducted a high-profile enforcement drive in the Kharadi area, targeting high-decibel modified exhausts. In a visual warning to traffic offenders, officials used a road roller to publicly destroy a large cache of seized silencers.
The action specifically targeted motorcycles, primarily Royal Enfield Bullets, that had been fitted with aftermarket exhausts exceeding permissible noise limits. A video shared by the police department shows dozens of these confiscated silencers lined up on the asphalt before being flattened by heavy machinery, often in the presence of the vehicle owners.
Strict Penalties Beyond Destruction
The police clarified that the physical destruction of the illegal parts is only one component of the crackdown. In addition to losing their expensive modified equipment, vehicle owners are also being slapped with:
- Heavy monetary fines under the Motor Vehicles Act.
- Mandatory restoration of vehicles to their original factory specifications.
- Potential impoundment for repeat offenders.
Public Calls for “Source-Level” Action
While many residents lauded the move to restore peace to the city’s streets, the action has also sparked a debate regarding the accountability of mechanics and shops.
Reacting to the police video, several citizens questioned whether the authorities are targeting the root of the problem. One resident pointedly asked:
“Have the names and addresses of the workshops where these silencers were modified been taken from the vehicle owners? If those shops are shut down, there won’t be a need to post videos of such ‘strict’ actions anymore.”
The sentiment reflects a growing demand for Pune Police to penalize the businesses that profit from illegal modifications, rather than focusing solely on the end-users. For now, the department remains committed to its “zero-tolerance” policy regarding noise pollution in residential and commercial hubs like Kharadi.
