Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Despite a joint drive by Traffic Police and Nagar Nigam’s anti-encroachment team to seize scrap and abandoned vehicles, city roads, especially in old areas, continue to be choked by rusting cars and two-wheelers.
Launched last month, the initiative aimed to remove non-functional vehicles that block road space and pose safety risks. But even after weeks of effort, several residential colonies and busy markets remain littered with such vehicles, leading to narrower roads and increased congestion during peak hours.
Areas, including Peer Gate, Talaiya, Royal Market, Budhwara and Shahjahanabad are worst hit. Commuters and residents complain that traffic snarls during mornings and evenings have become routine, and allege that enforcement is patchy.
One of the major setbacks is the release of seized vehicles whose registration is still valid. Owners have been paying fines to reclaim them, only to park them again along different roadside spots.
Abid, a resident of Peergate, said the operation lacks follow-up. “They towed a few vehicles and never came back. The drive should be repeated in hotspot areas,” he said.
Officials said the problem is more challenging than expected. Identifying owners and ensuring regular towing services across the city remain key hurdles.
Shailendra Singh Bhadoria, anti-encroachment officer with Nagar Nigam, said that efforts are underway. “On Friday, many scrap vehicles were seized from Prabhat Crossing to Subhash Nagar. Earlier, we removed rusted vehicles buried in mud that posed serious hazard.
We will revisit old city areas and seize any damaged or abandoned vehicles still left,” he said.
Over 265 vehicles seized, but many return
Additional DCP Traffic Basant Kumar Kaul said that over 265 scrap and rusting vehicles have been seized since the drive began. He said that several owners reclaimed vehicles with unexpired registrations by paying fines, but were warned against further roadside parking.
Kaul said the focus remains on old city zones, where traffic congestion is worsened by such vehicles during rush hours.
