Mumbai News : BMC Launches Drive To Clear Abandoned Vehicles, Procures 26 Hydraulic Vans For Removal

The BMC has launched a campaign to address abandoned and non-functional vehicles obstructing roads across the city. To speed up the clearance process, the civic body will procure 26 hydraulic vans on a rental basis, to be deployed in seven civic zones over the next five months. Tenders have been invited for this procurement, aiming to streamline vehicle removal and improve road safety and accessibility.

Abandoned vehicles parked on various roads not only obstruct traffic but also pose a threat to pedestrians and can be misused by miscreants. In response to multiple citizen complaints, the BMC has intensified its efforts to tackle this issue. Last week, the civic body removed 54 abandoned vehicles from Sion and Matunga, which were causing traffic disruptions. Additionally, the BMC issued notices to the owners of 154 vehicles, instructing them to remove their abandoned cars to prevent further obstructions.

To ensure the continued success of this campaign, the BMC has decided to deploy hydraulic vans across seven zones, covering areas from Colaba-Fort to Sion-Mahim in the island city, Kurla-Chembur to Mulund in the eastern suburbs, and Bandra to Borivali in the western suburbs. Abandoned vehicles will be seized under Section 314 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act of 1888. The BMC issues 48-hour notices to vehicles parked for extended periods, and if the owners fail to retrieve them within this period, the vehicles are towed. If left unclaimed for a month, they are auctioned off. Over the past two years, the BMC has seized 5,958 abandoned vehicles in Mumbai, generating revenue of Rs. 4.70 crores through auctions.