Vehicles abandoned on streets of Bengaluru being removed by GBA, BTP

The five corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), along with the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), began removing vehicles abandoned on the streets, marking the second phase of the footpath clearance drive aimed at improving pedestrian infrastructure.

On July 18, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda flagged off the drive near Malleswaram in the City Central Corporation limits. The BTP will assist the corporations in towing away abandoned vehicles from streets across the city to designated spots identified by civic bodies.

According to GBA data, 4,249 abandoned vehicles have been identified across the city, and the exercise is ongoing. Of these, the BTP has identified 2,751 vehicles that need to be cleared, while citizens have flagged 1,498 abandoned vehicles through the ASTraM application.

Mr. Gowda said that notices have been pasted on 1,034 vehicles for removal over the last seven days since the drive began. About 72 vehicle owners have paid fines and removed their vehicles. The exercise of issuing notices and removing vehicles after seven days will continue across the city, the Minister said. Citizens can continue to report such obstacles through the AStraM application.

The corporations have identified land parcels to park the abandoned vehicles. The locations include Lakkasandra in the Central Corporation; Hope Farm Junction in the East Corporation; Mysore Lamps and a BDA site in Chandra Layout; the Yediyur-Ittamadu area in the West Corporation; Kogilu in the North Corporation; and Kadrenahalli, Ragigudda Metro Station, and Bommanahalli in the South Corporation.

Mr. Gowda said that abandoned vehicles not only affect the city’s aesthetics but also cause significant inconvenience to citizens by obstructing smooth pedestrian movement.

The Minister reiterated that vehicle owners had been given seven days to pay the prescribed fine and get their vehicles unclamped. However, only 72 people came forward to do so, following which the authorities began towing the remaining vehicles.

“Those who have abandoned vehicles are not the victims. The citizens, who are facing inconvenience, are. We are not even charging much. They have to pay just ₹500 and take back their vehicles,” he said.

However, the GBA is giving owners another opportunity by allowing them 15 more days to reclaim their vehicles after they are towed. Owners will have to pay the towing charges along with the prescribed fine to retrieve their vehicles. Vehicles that remain unclaimed will be auctioned, according to GBA sources.

Responding to complaints about abandoned vehicles lying at police station premises, Mr. Gowda said, “Those are vehicles involved in cases pending before courts, and cannot be disposed of. However, we will approach the courts and explore options for their early disposal.”