In response to the growing issue of abandoned vehicles causing traffic obstructions and contributing to garbage dumping, Pune’s Municipal Encroachment Department has taken a decisive step. The department has seized and impounded a total of 535 vehicles left unattended on the city’s roads, with plans to auction off 506 of them to address the longstanding problem.
Despite earlier appeals to citizens to remove their abandoned vehicles, the lack of response has prompted the Municipal Corporation to take strict action. The auction is expected to not only clear the clutter from the city’s main roads, internal streets, and public spaces but also generate revenue for the municipal corporation.
Over the past year, notices were issued during the Ganpati festival to prompt owners to claim their abandoned vehicles. However, after seven days with no response, the Municipal Encroachment Department proceeded with impounding the vehicles. Owners of these impounded vehicles are now facing fines ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 rupees, contributing to the municipal corporation’s income.
Madhav Jagtap, Head of Encroachment Department, PMC, provided details, stating, “This year, the municipal encroachment department impounded 535 vehicles, including 345 two-wheelers, 92 three-wheelers, 91 four-wheelers, and 6 six-wheelers. Currently, the Municipal Corporation has 506 vehicles awaiting auction, which will take place soon.”
While discussions about whether the auction proceeds justify the cost of impounding continue, the Municipal Corporation points to previous successful auctions as evidence of their effectiveness. In 2018, an auction generated 16 lakh rupees in revenue, and in 2022, 1146 vehicles were auctioned, bringing in a substantial income of Rs. 1 crore 23 lakhs.
In addition to addressing the issue of abandoned vehicles, Commissioner Vikram Kumar announced plans to tackle unauthorized hoardings in the city. Out of 2800 hoardings, 900 have been removed in the past year. Action will be taken against the remaining 400 unauthorized hoardings, ensuring a cleaner and more regulated urban landscape.
