Parking Space Crisis in Pune Escalates Amid Rising Vehicle Registrations
Pune is witnessing an escalating challenge when it comes to parking, as the number of registered vehicles under the Pune City RTO has surpassed 40 lakh. Despite this surge, the administration has yet to provide effective alternative solutions for parking spaces, resulting in severe traffic jams and continuous congestion on key roads across the city.
‘No Parking’ Violations Reach Record High
According to data shared by the Traffic Department, ‘No Parking’ violations have crossed a staggering 10.76 lakh cases between 2023 and October 7, 2025. This alarming figure underscores the ongoing struggle with vehicular congestion and the lack of adequate parking infrastructure.
₹70.26 Crore Collected in Fines from Offenders
The Pune City Traffic Police have generated an impressive ₹70.26 crore in fines from violators during this period. This highlights the persistent challenge faced by traffic authorities in managing parking violations effectively.
Breaking down the data:
- In 2023, 3,11,895 vehicles were fined, generating ₹18.05 crore in fines.
- In 2024, violations increased to 3,68,857, with fines amounting to ₹23.81 crore.
- In just the first nine months of 2025, 3,95,513 violators were fined, collecting ₹28.39 crore—surpassing all previous years.
Crackdown on Illegal Parking Zones
Manoj Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), spoke to The Free Press Journal about the ongoing efforts to address the issue. “These vehicles have been penalised for parking in no-parking spaces and causing severe traffic jams on particular roads. Many times, people park their vehicles in no-parking zones because they are in a hurry. Vehicle owners need to understand that violating traffic norms is unacceptable, and vehicles should be parked only at designated places.”
Patil added, “We are cracking down on illegal parking zones across major areas like FC Road, JM Road, and Koregaon Park. Awareness drives are also being conducted.”
Residents Cite Poor Urban Planning and Lack of Discipline
Local residents and commuters believe the situation is a reflection of both inadequate urban planning and a lack of discipline among vehicle owners.
Sagar Bansode, a resident of Swargate, shared, “Finding a legal parking spot in central Pune is almost impossible. People are forced to park on the roadside even when they don’t want to.”
Amit Vibhute from Rasta Peth added, “The fines keep increasing, but there is hardly any solution in sight. The administration needs to create more designated parking spaces, not just penalise citizens. In the Rasta Peth area, many shops dealing in used vehicles have openly parked the used vehicles on the footpath. But police avoid fining them because they pay a minimal amount to the officers per month.”
The Road Ahead
As Pune grapples with rising vehicle numbers and shrinking parking options, the need for sustainable urban planning, stricter enforcement, and public cooperation has never been greater. Without a coordinated approach involving authorities and citizens alike, the city’s traffic woes and parking crisis are likely to worsen further.