Foreigners Turn ‘Traffic Cops’ in Pune: Viral Video of Pimple Nilakh Footpath Standoff Shames Bikers
PUNE – In a city often touted as the “Oxford of the East,” it took two foreign visitors to provide a basic lesson in civic discipline. A viral video circulating across social media platforms has captured the moment two foreign nationals took it upon themselves to regulate traffic at Rakshak Chowk in the Pimple Nilakh area, physically blocking two-wheelers from illegally using the pedestrian footpath.
Foreign Visitors Step in Where Authorities Lacked
The incident occurred during peak traffic hours at the notoriously congested Rakshak Chowk intersection. Frustrated by the sight of dozens of motorcyclists mounting the pavement to bypass the gridlock, the two foreigners, reportedly tourists, stood their ground on the narrow walking path.
In the footage, which has since amassed thousands of views, one individual is seen calmly but firmly signaling riders to stop and return to the main road. At one point, a foreigner is heard telling a defiant biker, “This path is for walking, not for riding vehicles,” as he directs the rider back into the queue of traffic. While many riders appeared embarrassed and complied immediately, others were seen attempting to maneuver around the duo to continue their illegal shortcut.
Pune: Foreign National Teaches Traffic Rules, Stops People Riding On Footpath In Pimple Nilakh pic.twitter.com/7nfHESE9Bx
— Pune First (@Pune_First) December 19, 2025
A Growing Menace: 13 Lakh Violations in 2025
The Pimple Nilakh incident is not an isolated case of lawlessness but a symptom of a larger crisis on Pune’s roads. According to recent data from the Pune Traffic Police, over 13 lakh traffic violations were recorded between January and December 2025.
Wrong-side driving and footpath encroachment remain the most frequent offenses. Despite the implementation of AI-powered surveillance at over 60 junctions across the city, the “Rakshak Chowk standoff” highlights a persistent lack of on-ground enforcement in suburban pockets.
Netizens React: “A Moment of Collective Shame”
The video has triggered a firestorm of debate online, with Punekars expressing a mix of gratitude and deep embarrassment.
- “When outsiders have to teach us how to use our own roads, it’s a serious question mark on our civic sense,” commented one local resident on X (formerly Twitter).
- Another user pointed out the systemic failure: “It is shameful that foreigners are doing the job of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Police. Where are the marshals who should be fining these riders?”
Urban mobility experts suggest that the incident reflects a “broken window theory” in Pune’s traffic culture, where the absence of immediate consequences for minor violations like footpath riding leads to widespread chaos and danger for pedestrians, especially senior citizens and children.
The Road Ahead for PCMC Traffic Management
While the Pimpri-Chinchwad (PCMC) Traffic Police have yet to issue a formal statement regarding this specific video, the public outcry has put authorities under the lens. Residents of Pimple Nilakh and Sangvi have long complained that flyover construction and narrow bottlenecks at Rakshak Chowk have turned footpaths into “express lanes” for two-wheelers.
As the video continues to trend, it serves as a stark reminder that while infrastructure can be built, civic sense must be cultivated. For now, the “Foreign Traffic Police” of Pimple Nilakh have left Pune with a mirror that reflects a truth many are finding hard to face.
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