Oulgaret Municipality begins crackdown on abandoned vehicles

The Oulgaret Municipality has embarked on a special drive to dispose of vehicles that have been abandoned on the roadsides, footpaths and public spaces, citing serious concerns over sanitation, traffic movement and public safety.

An official said that several heavy and light commercial vehicles including condemned and abandoned cars, two-wheelers, push carts and diesel generators had been lying unattended for long periods in areas within the jurisdiction of the civic body. In many cases, the abandoned vehicles had occupied roadside spaces and pedestrian pathways, obstructing traffic and causing inconvenience to residents.

There are a number of vehicles left on the road — some are in a dilapidated condition, many are parked on the roads by owners who do not want to give it away and have little space to park within their premises, he said.

According to Oulgaret Municipal Commissioner R. Arun Ayyavu, “Such vehicles are abandoned at places where garbage is dumped and stagnant water collects, creating unhygienic conditions and increasing the possibility of mosquito breeding. This could contribute to the risk of vector-borne and other communicable diseases, particularly during rain and waterlogging.”

The abandoned vehicles also reduce available roadspace and affect the free movement of vehicles and pedestrians. They may lead to traffic congestion and increase the risk of accidents, especially on narrow roads and busy stretches.

Mr. Ayyavu said the civic body had issued a public notice directing owners of abandoned vehicles and equipment to remove them from public places at their own expense within a week. However, as several failed to respond within the stipulated period, the civic body proceeded with direct enforcement action.

As many as eight vehicles including cars and autorickshaws that were abandoned on the roadside and parking areas for a long time were removed on Wednesday in the first phase. Notices were pasted on the vehicles and action was taken under the provisions of the Puducherry Municipalities Act, 1973.

Seized vehicles have been moved from public spaces as part of effort to restore roadsides, footpaths and common areas for their intended public use. The exercise of issuing notices and removing vehicles after seven days will continue. The drive will be held every Monday, he added.

The owners of the seized vehicles have been instructed to approach the office of the Municipal Commissioner within a week to reclaim their vehicles. They will be required to pay the prescribed penalty and submit a written undertaking stating that they will not park or abandon vehicles in public places in the future.

The vehicles would be released only after the owners completed these procedures. Vehicles that remain unclaimed within the stipulated period will be disposed of through public auction in accordance with law, Mr. Ayyavu said.

According to an official, “The abandoned vehicles not only affect the city’s aesthetics but also cause significant inconvenience to citizens by obstructing smooth pedestrian movement. The civic body and the traffic police act based on complaints from residents as well as on their own. Residents are required to file complaints about such vehicles, stating that they have been lying unclaimed for a certain number of days”.