KOCHI: Police stations across the district are turning into junkyards due to the accumulation of impounded vehicles, leading to severe space constraints. According to data with the home department, a total of 2,258 vehicles impounded in various cases are currently parked at different police stations in the district.
Within Kochi city police limits alone, 813 vehicles remain unclaimed, while 1,445 vehicles are parked at stations under the Ernakulam Rural district. As of March this year, 26,195 impounded vehicles are lying at police stations across the state. Palakkad has the highest number (3,189), followed by Thrissur Rural (2,728), Thrissur City (2,223), and Malappuram (2,131).
“Although there are directives to release vehicles to their owners once legal procedures are completed, very few owners come forward to reclaim them. Additionally, since legal proceedings often take years, the condition of these vehicles deteriorates over time. Last year, we auctioned off several unclaimed vehicles, but bidders usually look for well-maintained ones, leaving many unsold,” an officer with Ernakulam Rural police said.
For years, the police department has been advocating for a dedicated yard to keep impounded vehicles, as many police stations are struggling with a lack of parking space. “In city areas, most impounded vehicles are two-wheelers, while in rural areas, we seize larger vehicles like trucks and lorries, which occupy significant space. Additionally, cars and buses involved in accidents often remain at police stations for months after the incidents,” the officer added.
In 2018, the home department issued a directive instructing all police districts to clear impounded vehicles from station premises as soon as possible. To streamline the process, officers were advised to seize only the vehicle’s registration certificate in cases of traffic violations, instead of taking physical custody of the vehicle. There was also a proposal to incorporate some of these impounded vehicles into the police motor fleet.
“Despite these measures, the number of vehicles left at police stations remains alarmingly high. This is problematic for stations like Palarivattom and Ernakulam Central, which have limited compound space. A dedicated storage yard for impounded vehicles would be a far better solution,” another Kochi City police officer said.