HYDERABAD: Ever since the Hyderabad Police announced its decision, in March 2015, to dispose of impounded vehicles of different categories, which are piled up at Shiv Kumar Lal Police stadium, at least some of the denizens would have thought of bidding for one. But the reality, however, is different. Almost 78 percent of the vehicles meant for auction are junk and deemed fit for scrap.
Out of the 8,000 plus vehicles piled up at the stadium grounds for over 10 years, 3931 vehicles will go under the hammer in the first phase after August 6. The officials from Road Transport Authority (RTA) have been working on to ascertain the value of these vehicles and fix a base price for auctioning. Based on a report submitted by the RTA, it has come to light that only 693 vehicles are ‘serviceable’ and roadworthy. Meanwhile, 196 persons have submitted claim applications with the Commissioner of Police for their respective vehicles.
As many as 3042 vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, motor cycles and a few four wheelers, have been declared scrap and will be auctioned after fixing the scrap value.
The seized vehicles include 942 vehicles seized by the West Zone, 569 seized by the South Zone, 508 seized by the North Zone, 656 seized by the East Zone, 621 seized by the Central Zone and 635 seized by Traffic Police.
It is alleged that many of the vehicles were stripped off their parts including battery, handle, wheels, horns etc, due to lack of security at the Police Stadium Grounds. These vehicle parts have flowed to the seconds hand market. Some police officials at the stadium confirmed that children from the adjoining locality used to earn their pocket money by selling spare parts stolen from the seized vehicles.
According to the officials concerned, around 400 odd vehicles on the Police Staduim Grounds were gutted in a fire that broke in January 2012.
“These are vehicles impounded for various offences by different police stations across Hyderabad, around 10 years ago. These vehicles have been abandoned and unclaimed. So we are publicly auctioning them under section 40 of Hyderabad City Police Act,” said an official on condition of anonymity. “This is only the first phase of auction. Basing on the proclamation order, we will be auctioning rest of the 5000 odd vehicles too. RTA officials have ascertained the value of the vehicles based on the model and roadworthiness and fixed the prices,” he added.