Sunday Read: Tow & behold
Bengaluru
Namma Bengaluru Foundation
There will be no harasment or bribery this time. To ensure transparency, the department will use its own vehicles and traffic police personnel for towing operations. No new guidelines are required
– B Dayananda, Police Commissioner
The announcement of towing resuming in Bengaluru to decongest traffic has sparked sharp criticism and mixed reactions from citizens, with many raising concerns over past misuse, corruption, and harassment. While the civic body insists the move is aimed at curbing illegal parking and improving traffic flow, Bengaluru residents worry it could revive what they describe as a 'towing mafia.'The towing system, previously discontinued following widespread complaints in 2022, is now set to make a comeback. Instead of outsourcing the task to third-party tow contractors, the towing will be carried out by police vehicles and personnel, Home Minister G Parameshwara stated in a recent meeting. He explained that 19 places across the city face severe problems during rains, including eight that experience high levels of traffic congestion.Officials insist that the reinstated towing system is purely aimed at easing traffic congestion caused by wrongful parking. 'There will be no harassment or bribery this time.To ensure transparency, the department will use its own vehicles and traffic police personnel for towing operations. No new guidelines are required, and only parking fines will be levied,' said City Police Commissioner B Dayananda. However, the assurance hasn't convinced everyone.'Bringing back towing is like opening the gates for bribery again. Last time, they towed cars even from legal parking zones and demanded cash on the spot,' said a resident of Koramangala. 'It's not about discipline anymore, it becomes a business.'Several Bengalureans took to social media to express their displeasure, calling it a step backwards. In X (formerly Twitter), Bhaskar Rao, former IPS and Commissioner of police, Bengaluru, posted, 'Bengaluru city has no parking policy, no footpath pedestrians policy and no street vendors and Hawking Policy. By bringing back the towing mafia, fear, threat, bribery, and harassment will also return. Poor street design and mismanaged urban planning are taking a toll on ordinary, law-abiding citizens, now left at the mercy of aggressive towing squads. @CMofKarnataka should intervene to prevent harassment of citizens.'Is this the #BrandBengaluru we aspire to?' asked Citizen Matters, a civic-focused organisation. 'Instead of unleashing the towing mafia, the Chief Minister must focus on real reforms: publish and implement a comprehensive, participatory Urban Mobility and Public Space Policy; decriminalise survival by legalising and regulating street vending; and adopt a 'build first, enforce later' approach by creating infrastructure before penalising its absence. Law-abiding citizens should not be terrorised for the government's shortcomings. Fix the system—don't scapegoat the people.'Meanwhile, another user stated, 'Now we're supporting the worst kind of people? Those who illegally park vehicles on roads! I have driven cars for 15 years now in Bengaluru, and never have any of them been towed. Not even a ticket. I welcome the Police instilling the fear of towing on these lawbreakers.'Urban mobility experts agree that illegal parking is a serious concern that must be addressed. 'Urban towing is necessary to manage city traffic, but its success depends on a transparent process, well-defined policies, appropriate fines, and strict enforcement in no-tolerance zones such as traffic junctions, bus stops, and metro stations,' said Vinod Jacob of. 'However, a major part of the problem stems from private tour operators and yellow cabs. There needs to be a targeted solution to address their parking challenges.'However, over 2.19 lakh wrong parking cases have been reported till April this year, underscoring the severity of the city's traffic congestion issues. Authorities claim the revived towing system is a necessary step to address this. While some hope the revised system will bring order to chaotic roads, many fear it could lead to renewed harassment, bribery, and inconvenience unless strict oversight is ensured.
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