GBA prepares to restart towing operations in Bengaluru to tackle illegal parking and congestion

Bengaluru: In a major step aimed at easing traffic congestion and addressing rampant illegal parking, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is preparing to reintroduce towing operations across the city.

Officials confirmed that one towing vehicle has already been procured, while four more vehicles for the remaining municipal zones under GBA will be deployed soon. Bengaluru has long struggled with severe traffic jams, shrinking road space, and inadequate parking infrastructure.

Vehicles parked for months on end along busy streets, footpaths and residential areas have only worsened the problem. With the new plan, the GBA intends to work in close coordination with the Traffic Police to remove illegally parked vehicles and bring stricter enforcement under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao stated that the authority will not only impose fines for illegal parking violations but will also levy additional penalties for the unauthorized use of footpath space. This marks a shift from past practice, where traffic police exclusively handled towing, often facing criticism for inadequate coverage and inconsistent enforcement.

The GBA, which will soon encompass five municipal bodies, is finalizing the tendering process to operationalize towing services within a month. Each municipal division is expected to receive its own towing vehicle, enabling decentralised enforcement and reducing delays in attending to violations.

Officials explained that indiscriminate parking has become a major contributor to city-wide traffic slowdowns, especially on narrow roads and commercial stretches. In several locations, vehicles parked on footpaths have forced pedestrians onto the road, increasing the risk of accidents.

With the GBA taking over this responsibility, the civic body expects to streamline the process, ensure better monitoring, and maintain clear roadways. Residents are watching keenly to see how this new system differs from the earlier police-run towing operations, which were frequently criticised for irregularities and complaints of harassment.

The GBA maintains that its approach will prioritise transparency and public convenience, while also enforcing compliance strictly to restore order on Bengaluru’s congested roads.

The success of the initiative will depend on whether the authority can maintain consistency in enforcement and effectively manage coordination with traffic police. For now, with towing set to resume soon, the city’s recurring parking issues may finally see some relief.

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