Bengaluru traffic fines for repeat violations may rise to as much as Rs 5,000 under a proposed Karnataka government overhaul that could also introduce penalty points, driving licence suspensions and tighter enforcement against unsafe vehicles and parking violations.
The proposal was discussed at a joint meeting of the transport and home departments attended by transport minister Byrathi Suresh and home minister Priyank Kharge. The government is considering changes to motor vehicle rules covering one-way violations, wrong-side driving, riding on footpaths, unauthorised parking, signal jumping and dangerous riding.
The current basic fine for these offences is Rs 500. Under the proposed system, the penalty would increase progressively for each additional offence, with Rs 5,000 being considered the upper limit for habitual offenders. A senior transport department official said the departments had discussed increasing penalties for seven to eight offences as part of measures to ease congestion and improve enforcement.
“Fines will vary for first-time offenders and increase progressively for each additional offence,” an official said. The official added that further action would be taken after the home department submits a formal proposal for changes to the rules.
The proposed enforcement framework could also introduce a negative-point system for traffic violations. Motorists would accumulate points for offences and could face suspension of their driving licences after crossing a specified limit. The number of points required for suspension has not yet been announced.
The government is separately considering a ban on the production and sale of half-helmets, which officials said do not provide adequate protection to two-wheeler riders and pillion passengers. Suresh said action could be taken against factories manufacturing the helmets, which are cheaper than ISI-marked alternatives and are widely used by riders.
Another proposal involves integrating the transport department’s Sarathi system with Bengaluru traffic police’s e-challan platform. This would allow traffic personnel to verify licence details and access a motorist’s previous violation history while registering a fresh offence. The proposed integration is intended to make repeat-offender enforcement more systematic.
Officials also discussed bringing low-speed battery-operated electric two-wheelers under a legal framework covering registration, helmet use and the applicability of traffic rules. The government wants these vehicles to be identifiable so that riders can be held accountable for violations. The source report did not specify which vehicle categories or speed limits would be covered.
The meeting also considered action against modified silencers, shrill horns and high-intensity lights. To reduce the number of private vehicles on Bengaluru roads, the government is examining a state-level policy for carpooling and ride-sharing services, including guidelines for app-based carpooling and the creation of park-and-ride facilities.
Public transport measures were part of the discussions as well. Dedicated BMTC lanes could be restored on roads where Metro construction has been completed, while additional feeder services and higher bus frequencies on the Outer Ring Road are being considered. The government has not yet announced a final implementation schedule for the proposed fines, enforcement systems or bus-lane measures.
