The residents of Baner and Balewadi in Pune came together and held a meeting with the police on Thursday to discuss issues such as traffic congestion and rising crime in their areas.
Senior Police Inspector Navnath Jagtap of Baner Police Station directed a Zero-Tolerance Policy towards crime. Speaking at the Police-Citizen Dialogue, organised by the Balewadi Welfare Federation, he urged citizens to report any criminal activity or harassment by calling emergency helpline 112, assuring the residents they will get a quick response and solution to their problems related to crime and traffic.
"We are committed to keeping Baner-Balewadi crime-free. No criminal will go unpunished if citizens come forward and cooperate with law enforcement," Jagtap said.
The event was organised at Iris Society, and it's the first of its kind in the area with around 159 people participating. It provided an open platform for discussions with the police on crime prevention, cyber safety, and overall public security.
Jagtap also guided in preventing cybercrime and fraud, ensuring women's safety and senior citizen security, social media awareness and digital safety, and strengthening neighborhood watch programs. He also assured residents of increased police patrolling in high-risk areas and encouraged vigilance in reporting suspicious activities.
Along with crime prevention, Traffic Department Head PI Shafil Pathan addressed traffic congestion and encroachment issues raised by residents. One of the main concerns was the never-ending congestion at Radha Chowk, a key traffic junction.
PI Pathan assured residents that corrective measures would be taken, including on-ground inspections to assess traffic bottlenecks, strategic installation of traffic signals, and removal of obstructions for smoother movement of vehicles.
"Traffic at Radha Chowk becomes chaotic because vehicles from Hinjawadi and the highway enter at the same time through a narrow underpass, blocking access to NICMAR Road. Timed signal divisions can help regulate the flow better," suggested Dr Tarini Kotamkar, a resident of Paritosh Society.
Residents also raised concerns about public drinking near Ashtavinayak Chowk, which has led to an increase in fights and rowdy behaviour. "A nearby wine shop has started allowing people to drink on the premises, making the area unsafe. Our society's gate is directly opposite, increasing our concerns," said Nikita Matade, a resident of 7 Avenues Society.
PI Jagtap assured that strict action would be taken against such activities, emphasising that public safety remains a top priority.
Both officers listened to residents' concerns, noted grievances and assured that necessary steps would be taken. The initiative was widely appreciated for fostering direct communication between law enforcement and citizens.
Residents expressed appreciation for the initiative and hoped for continued police-community collaboration to ensure a safer and better-managed Baner-Balewadi.
