BENGALURU: Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Tuesday directed officials to prepare corporation-wise action plans and operational schedules to speed up the removal of abandoned vehicles from roads and public spaces across the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
Reviewing the progress of abandoned vehicle removal and footpath encroachment clearance drives during a virtual meeting held on Tuesday, the minister instructed officials to monitor field-level staff closely and regularly review the implementation of the campaign to accelerate the removal of abandoned vehicles.
Batting for better coordination between civic authorities and the police department, Byre Gowda directed the traffic police and city corporations to jointly conduct the enforcement drive. He directed officials to submit accurate data on abandoned vehicles identified, notices issued, vehicles towed and those released after payment of penalties.
The minister also instructed city corporation commissioners to initiate the auction of abandoned vehicles that remain unclaimed for 15 days after notices have been served and the vehicles have been towed away.
To strengthen enforcement, the Minister directed traffic police stations to deploy two dedicated police personnel exclusively for the abandoned vehicle removal drive.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru Traffic) Karthik Reddy said that 6,576 abandoned vehicles have been identified across the city, including 2,533 by the police department and 4,043 reported by citizens. Of these, notices have been served on 1,605 vehicles, while 263 vehicles have been towed. Owners of the notified and towed vehicles have paid Rs 2.16 lakh in penalties and reclaimed their vehicles. He added that the enforcement drive would be intensified in the coming days.