Drive to remove abandoned vehicles encroaching on streets, public spaces launched in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 10 (PTI) A special drive to remove abandoned vehicles encroaching on streets and public spaces in Bengaluru was launched on Friday. Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda launched the drive on Queens Road by affixing notices on abandoned vehicles. Officials from GBA and the Traffic Police were present during the event. The initiative aims to restore pedestrian pathways, improve public safety, and make it easier for citizens to move around. The drive is part of the ongoing efforts to keep Bengaluru's footpaths free from obstructions and make the city's public spaces more accessible and pedestrian-friendly, the minister said. Speaking to reporters here, Gowda said, "Fifteen days ago, we publicly cautioned that the drive would be conducted, but vehicles are still left abandoned on the roadside. Police have identified 1,581 such abandoned vehicles on the roadside. I'm not saying it's a complete list, as the numbers are probably on the higher side." There is a traffic police app named "Astram", using which the public can also report on the abandoned vehicles, and necessary action will follow, he said. Fines will be imposed on abandoned vehicles as per rules, along with towing charges, and in case of repeated offenders there are plans to increase the fine amount, he said, adding that he has asked authorities to stick notices on 200-250 abandoned vehicles every day. On Wednesday, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and Traffic Police had issued a public notice for the removal and auction of abandoned vehicles on streets and public spaces. "The general public is hereby informed that, with effect from July 10, abandoned vehicles left unattended for several days on roads, open spaces, and other public places will be identified. The five City Corporations, in coordination with the Traffic Police, will undertake a joint enforcement drive and initiate strict action against such vehicles," the notice said. As per the notice, the five City Corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) commenced the drive in accordance with Section 324 of the GBA Act, 2024, the minister's office said. The notices affixed on abandoned vehicles grant the owner seven days to remove them. A wheel clamp will also be fitted to the vehicle when the notice is affixed, officials said. If the vehicle is not claimed and removed within the seven-day notice period, it will be towed and seized by the joint operational authorities, they added. All seized vehicles will subsequently be put up for public auction as per statutory guidelines, and no further claims will be entertained, they added. Asking all citizens to take immediate note of this, the GBA officials said, "If you have left any of your vehicles unattended on streets or public spaces, you are strictly instructed to shift them to your respective private property immediately to avoid confiscation and subsequent public auction." Responding to a question about when authorities will start towing vehicles parked in no-parking zones in the city, the minister said it has started in Bengaluru South corporation limits and will be implemented step by step in other places in a disciplined manner in the days ahead. The parking issue is 30-40 years old. "Rules call for parking space in buildings and houses, but it has not been enforced properly and people have constructed buildings without parking space. I appeal to people to ensure parking spaces when building houses in the days ahead, and the government will also try to implement the rules," he said. PTI KSU KH