Pune: Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Begin Towing Drive With Revised Fines to Curb Illegal Parking

Pimpri-Chinchwad, a bustling city grappling with severe traffic congestion, has launched a towing van initiative to address illegal parking. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police, after receiving permission from the state government nearly six months ago, have begun towing vehicles from no-parking zones across the city. This long-awaited measure aims to streamline traffic flow and reduce blockages caused by indiscriminate parking.

Key Highlights of the Initiative:

• Deployment of Towing Vans: The city will soon have 25 towing vans for this initiative. Currently, 8 vans are operational, with the remaining expected to arrive in two phases.
• Fines and Towing Charges:
  • Two-wheelers: ₹500 fine + ₹200 towing charge + ₹36 GST = ₹736
  • Four-wheelers: ₹500 fine + ₹400 towing charge + ₹72 GST = ₹972
• Clearing Pending Dues: Vehicle owners must pay at least one pending challan along with the current fine and towing charges when their vehicles are lifted.
• Revised Fine Structure: Previously, a uniform fine of ₹776 was imposed irrespective of the vehicle type. The revised system now differentiates between two-wheelers and four-wheelers to ensure more targeted enforcement.

Addressing a Growing Problem

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bapu Bangar, emphasized the importance of adhering to parking regulations. He stated that the initiative aims to ease traffic congestion and ensure smoother vehicular movement across key city areas, including industrial hubs, IT parks, and pilgrimage sites.

Illegal parking in no-parking zones, on roads, and open spaces has become rampant, contributing significantly to traffic woes. With heavy vehicular growth and insufficient parking facilities, enforcing stricter rules has become imperative. For over a year, the traffic police had relied solely on online fines, which proved ineffective as vehicles continued to block roadways.

Background and Implementation

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, formed in August 2018, lacked the state government’s permission to tow vehicles until June 2024. Previously, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) managed towing operations. However, after the municipal corporation’s parking policy failed, the police department was compelled to take direct action.

This initiative, coupled with the deployment of towing vans, aims to deter illegal parking and bring much-needed relief to the city’s congested streets. Authorities urge citizens to park responsibly and avoid causing obstructions to traffic.