“No Ban In Car Pooling But Apps Needs Permission” Karnataka Minister (image-pixabay)
Karnataka transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified that there is no ban on carpooling in Bengaluru. The minister called it a fake news. There were outrages from the residents of Bengaluru after the reports of carpool ban were doing the rounds, as they suffer from the overwhelming traffic in their day-to-day lives.
Ramalinga Reddy wrote on his official X handle, “Carpooling is not banned, it is a false news.”
He substantiated the statement, “let them take permission. When they have not taken the permission where is the question of banning?”
ಕಾರ್ಪೂಲಿಂಗ್ ನಿಷೇಧಿಸಿಲ್ಲ, ಇದು ಸುಳ್ಳು ಸುದ್ದಿ.
ಮೊದಲು ಅವರು ಸರ್ಕಾರದಿಂದ ಅನುಮತಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲಿ. ಅವರು ಅನುಮತಿಯನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳದಿರುವಾಗ ನಿಷೇಧದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ?
ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರೂ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನಿಯಮಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ನಿಬಂಧನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಅನುಸರಿಸಬೇಕು.
ಬಿಳಿ ನಂಬರ್ ಪ್ಲೇಟ್ಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ವಾಣಿಜ್ಯೇತರ ಖಾಸಗಿ ವಾಹನಗಳನ್ನು…— Ramalinga Reddy (@RLR_BTM) October 2, 2023
He also added that it is illegal to use non-commercial private vehicles with white number plates for carpooling purposes. The reports regarding the carpooling were released on Sunday, advising the residents to not to take rides from the carpooling app such as BlaBla car, Quick ride.
He clarified that the residents can opt cars with yellow number plates for carpooling. In an exclusive interview with News 18, he said that the government hasn’t banned carpooling but are just taking measures against the aggregators who operate apps as a commercial venture.
He also added that the government wholeheartedly welcomes the idea of carpooling with colleagues to avoid Bengaluru Road congestion. “It demonstrates people’s commitment to being responsible citizens and assisting the government in easing the pressure on our city’s roads,” he said.
He clarified that the transport department has taken this decision as they have received complaints about carpooling apps using whiteboard registration boards. The white board registration boards are reserved for privately owned vehicles.
Reddy emphasised that actions will be taken against carpooling apps on complaints from public. Violators will face six-month suspension of their registration certificate and fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 if caught.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Tejaswi Surya has come up opposing the decision of the government to ban carpool. He even took the initiative to write a letter to the Karnataka Chief minister to “reconsider the decision” and explained the benefits of it.
Carpooling can get private vehicles off the road & bring ease during peak hour commute.
Vehicular population has increased by 6,000% since 1990, making Bengaluru, a city with highest vehicle density that commutes at 15kmph.
A ban on car-pooling only encourages congestion, the… pic.twitter.com/R2e3ja76zS
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 1, 2023
It was during the post-pandemic the carpooling gained popularity in Bengaluru. Carpooling apps, such as BlaBla Car, Quickride, Rideshare, Commute Easy, and Carpool Adda, operate in Bengaluru, offers affordable ride-sharing services.
On September 11, Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Associations conducted a Bengaluru strike making 30 demands. They collectively opposed governments Shakti free bus service for women as they claim the scheme has affected their profits.
