Pune: In a significant move to ease the burden on commuters, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has ordered that towing fees will no longer apply if the vehicle owner is not present at the time of the violation. Going forward, only the standard no-parking fine will be imposed in such cases.
This decision follows numerous complaints from citizens about excessive charges and inappropriate behavior from towing staff, who are hired through a private agency. The Commissioner, during a recent meeting, emphasized that towing personnel must act politely and respectfully, especially while dealing with parking violations.
Towing teams have also been instructed to use loudspeakers to notify nearby vehicle owners before taking action. This will give owners an opportunity to move their vehicles promptly and avoid incurring fines.
Previously, fines for illegal parking included towing fees. Two-wheelers incurred a total of ₹785 — ₹500 as the base fine (inclusive of GST) and ₹285 for towing. Similarly, four-wheelers were charged ₹1,071, including a ₹571 towing fee.
With this new policy in place, only the ₹500 fine will be levied if the owner is not present at the scene, making the enforcement process fairer and less financially taxing for commuters.
