BMC gets more vans to tow away abandoned vehicles in Mumbai

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta had ordered action against abandoned vehicles in August

To intensify action against abandoned vehicles, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has increased the number of towing vehicles from six to 10. Each vehicle will be stationed in seven zones across the city.

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta had ordered action against abandoned vehicles in August (FILE)

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta had ordered action against abandoned vehicles in August. The action came amid complaints, especially from south Mumbai, of abandoned vehicles that lead to chaos, encroachment and pose security risk.

The BMC seizes abandoned, unclaimed vehicles under Section 314 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1884. The civic body leaves the vehicle for 48 hours before towing for the owners to remove the vehicle, after which vehicles are transported to the scrapyard. The list of vehicles is sent to the local and traffic police units and forwarded to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. Police stations are then asked to check missing or stolen car records.

If nobody claims the vehicle even after three months, the BMC auctions the vehicle under Section 490 (3) of the Act. If owners come forward, they have to pay a penalty.

This year, the BMC acted against 2,231 such vehicles. For complaints, citizens can login to www.mcgm.gov.in and portal.mcgm.gov.in or call 1916. From January to October 2017, the BMC has collected a fine of Rs1,38,24,000.