In response to recent concerns and confusion regarding carpooling restrictions in Bengaluru, the Karnataka State Government has issued a new clarification. The Bengaluru transport department has clarified that carpooling is only banned for privately owned vehicles with white registration number plates, while vehicles with yellow registration number plates, legally registered as commercial vehicles, are still permitted to carpool.
The department’s statement emphasized that those who wish to continue carpooling in privately-owned vehicles must register their cars as commercial vehicles with the Road Transport Office (RTO) of Bengaluru, as per the Bengaluru transport department’s directive.
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed this clarification, stating that the department has no issues with carpooling but specifically prohibits it in privately-owned vehicles with white number plates, as it violates the law. He clarified that the department has not imposed any fines for carpooling and will be holding discussions with taxi driver associations and transport unions for further deliberation on the matter.
This decision comes after the Bengaluru transport department recently imposed a ban on carpooling using privately-owned vehicles in response to demands from taxi driver associations in the city. Bengaluru has been grappling with severe traffic congestion issues, with many major roads consistently congested. Addressing this problem requires reducing the number of vehicles on the road, and carpooling has been considered a practical solution to achieve this goal.
Carpooling is an effective way to decrease traffic congestion when all occupants of a vehicle choose to carpool. However, it is essential to ensure that carpooling activities comply with traffic and transport laws.
While the Karnataka government’s decision to allow carpooling for commercial vehicles with yellow registration plates is a positive step, there is a need for more streamlined regulations and guidelines to facilitate smooth carpooling operations. Striking the right balance between traffic management and the convenience of carpooling remains a key challenge for the city.
