Bengaluru: GBA, BTP remove abandoned vehicles clogging streets

Bengaluru's traffic woes have a new enemy — the growing number of abandoned vehicles littering its streets. The city's traffic police, along with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), have launched a joint operation to tow away these derelict cars, two-wheelers and autorickshaws that have been left to rot on public roads.

For months, residents have complained about vehicles parked in the same spot for weeks, often with flat tyres, missing parts and no number plates. They obstructed traffic, took up scarce parking space and became shelters for stray animals. Now, authorities are finally taking action.

Joint drive targets chronic parking violators

The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) and the GBA's enforcement wing began the drive earlier this week. Teams are scanning high-density areas, including commercial hubs, residential layouts and narrow lanes, for vehicles that appear abandoned.

Officials said the focus is on vehicles that have been stationary for over a fortnight. Once identified, the vehicle is tagged, photographed and towed to a designated impound lot. Owners are then contacted through vehicle registration records. If no owner comes forward within a stipulated period, the vehicle may be scrapped.

“We have impounded over 200 vehicles so far this month. Many are unregistered or have expired registrations,” a senior BTP officer said, requesting anonymity. The drive is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

Residents welcome the clean-up

In areas like Koramangala, Indiranagar and Whitefield, residents have welcomed the move. “There was a white Maruti van parked outside my apartment for three months. Nobody knew who it belonged to. It was a nuisance,” said Ramesh P, a resident of HSR Layout.

Social media posts show tow trucks hauling away vehicles with layers of dust and grime. Many of these vehicles were used by vendors to store goods or by people who simply drove them to a spot and walked away.

The GBA has also set up a helpline where citizens can report abandoned vehicles. “We need public cooperation. If you see a vehicle that hasn't moved in weeks, let us know,” a GBA official said.

Legal action and penalties

Owners of impounded vehicles face fines and towing charges. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, abandoning a vehicle on a public road can attract a penalty of up to Rs 5,000. Repeat offenders could face higher fines or even prosecution.

Authorities have warned that vehicles without valid registration or insurance will be sent for scrapping immediately. The drive is part of a broader effort to declutter Bengaluru's streets and improve traffic flow.

The BTP has also begun cracking down on vehicles parked illegally on footpaths and no-parking zones. In the first week of July, over 1,500 challans were issued for such violations.

What comes next? The GBA and BTP plan to extend the drive to all 198 wards of the city. They are also exploring a mobile app that lets residents report abandoned vehicles with a photo and GPS location. For now, the message is clear: if your car has been gathering dust on a public road, you might soon find it in a police compound.