Towing will be reintroduced in select areas in Bengaluru, says Karnataka Home Minister

Towing of vehicles parked in no parking zones is all set to make a comeback in the city in selected areas. The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) will bring back towing on 22 high-density corridors and 75 key junctions, including those in the Central Business District (CBD). 

Towing of vehicles parked in no parking zones is all set to make a comeback in the city in selected areas. The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) will bring back towing on 22 high-density corridors and 75 key junctions, including those in the Central Business District (CBD). 

Speaking after inaugurating the Bengaluru Traffic Police Museum at the city’s Traffic Management Centre on Wednesday, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said that the State government was reintroducing towing to maintain discipline on the roads and ensure wrongful parking doesn’t become a hindrance for THE free flow of traffic. “There was towing earlier, which was withdrawn for some reasons. But there has been a demand for reintroduction of towing and the government will introduce it in selected areas,” he said.

The State government suspended vehicle towing policy in Bengaluru in February, 2022, following outcry from several motorists over alleged harassment by towing personnel. The government had said that towing would be suspended temporarily until a revised policy was brought again.

In August, 2024, towing was reintroduced around Freedom Park to ensure people use the multi-level car parking facility and not use the roads, where parking is banned. 

Responding to a question on allowing traffic through Cubbon Park during weekends and holidays, Dr. Parameshwara said that there was significant congestion in the CBD during weekends and the traffic police wanted vehicles to be let through Cubbon Park during weekends and holidays.

“The Horticulture Department seems to have a problem with that. The Chief Secretary has already taken a meeting on the issue and some initial steps have been taken in that direction. But if it helps people, why not let traffic through Cubbon Park on all days is our question,” he said. 

Meanwhile, responding to another question on unclear road signs, including on speed breakers on the roads, Dr. Parameshwara said that road signs were usually repainted once in a year and will henceforth be painted twice a year. “We use a special thermoplastic road marking paint. But still these signs seem to fade away. So we will take measures to paint these signs twice a year, henceforth,” he said.