Pune: A massive backlog of traffic violation cases is putting pressure on the Motor Vehicle Court in Shivajinagar, with more than 1.2 lakh matters involving motorists from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad still pending.

According to the available figures, the court has 1,20,128 pending cases. Of these, 72,322 cases are linked to Pune city, while 47,806 cases concern motorists from Pimpri-Chinchwad. Pune therefore accounts for close to 60 per cent of the total pendency, with the remaining cases coming from Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The cases generally reach court when motorists fail to clear penalties for traffic offences or when a matter requires further legal proceedings. With the number of vehicles on roads across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad continuing to rise, traffic enforcement agencies register a large number of violations on a regular basis.

The pending matters cover a broad range of offences. These include signal violations, riding without helmets, carrying more than the permitted number of passengers on two-wheelers, using mobile phones while driving, not wearing seat belts and parking in restricted areas.

Cases relating to vehicle documents also add to the workload. Violations involving driving licences, vehicle registration, insurance and other mandatory documents can result in legal proceedings when motorists fail to comply with the rules.

Drunk-driving cases form another significant category. Apart from financial penalties, motorists booked for driving under the influence may also face court proceedings depending on the circumstances of the offence.

Speeding and dangerous driving further contribute to the caseload. Commercial vehicles are also involved in several cases, particularly those related to permits, overloading and fitness certification requirements.

The size of the backlog points to a larger challenge in the enforcement of traffic rules. While police action against violations continues on city roads, thousands of cases remain pending in court, delaying their final disposal.

The growing pendency also highlights the need for faster processing of traffic cases and more efficient mechanisms for motorists to settle eligible offences, while ensuring that serious violations continue to receive proper judicial scrutiny.