The city’s traffic police kicked off its fortnight long traffic awareness programme yesterday to sensitise motorists about safety on the roads, but surprisingly no official from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) participated in the event. Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak claims he only received an SMS about the Safe Traffic Fortnight Drive from the Traffic Branch, but no formal invitation.

Veteran cartoonist Mangesh Tendulkar, who also participates in traffic awareness events, has blamed the PMC for lapses in carrying out its duties efficiently. He said faded paint at zebra crossings and non-functional traffic signals have been responsible for loss of innocent lives. He added that the city police and activists working on the traffic issue are also irke over the civic body not participating in the Safe Traffic Fortnight Drive.