Mumbai: The BMC has invited bids to appoint an agency that will identify and remove abandoned vehicles from public spaces to ease traffic congestion and make roads more pedestrian-friendly. According to civic estimates, over 20,000 abandoned vehicles are currently parked across various locations in Mumbai. As part of the effort, 26 hydraulic vans will be deployed to remove these vehicles.
Abandoned vehicles left on various roads not only block traffic but also endanger pedestrians and risk being misused by miscreants. Considering the growing citizen complaints, the BMC has stepped up efforts to address the issue. Last month, it invited tenders to appoint an agency for the task. The civic body will allocate a minimum of Rs 1 crore annually, with the agency to be appointed for a period of 24 months.
According to civic officials, “The agency will identify the owners of abandoned vehicles using data from the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Around 48 hours notices will be issued accordingly, and if owners fail to reclaim their vehicles, the BMC will tow them to a scrapyard. These vehicles will be held for one month before being auctioned.”
The highest number of abandoned vehicles has been reported in areas such as Sion, Wadala, Dadar, Dahisar, Borivali, Malad, Andheri, Mulund, and Kanjurmarg.
These vehicles will be seized under Section 314 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act of 1888. Over the past two years, the BMC has seized 5,958 abandoned vehicles, generating Rs 4.70 crore in revenue through public auctions. However, the civic body is yet to finalise a dedicated land parcel for accommodating these seized vehicles.
