Bengaluru Launches Crackdown on Abandoned Vehicles; Owners Given One Week Before Towing and Auction
Bengaluru, July 10: After intensifying its footpath clearance campaign across Bengaluru, the Karnataka Government has now launched a city-wide drive to remove abandoned and long-parked vehicles occupying roads, footpaths, no-parking zones and other public spaces.
The special operation, jointly undertaken by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and Bengaluru Traffic Police, was formally launched on Friday by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
Under the campaign, authorities will first identify abandoned vehicles and paste a warning notice on them. Owners will be given seven days to remove their vehicles voluntarily. If no one claims the vehicle within the stipulated period, officials will tow it away and initiate legal proceedings, including disposal through auction wherever applicable.
Warning Stickers to Be Placed on Vehicles
As part of the first phase, officials are placing detailed notices on abandoned vehicles mentioning the date of inspection, vehicle registration number, location, issuing authority and official seal.
Vehicle owners can reclaim their vehicles by responding to the notice and complying with the applicable legal requirements.
1,581 Vehicles Already Identified
Speaking about the campaign, Krishna Byre Gowda said the government had repeatedly appealed to vehicle owners to voluntarily remove abandoned vehicles from public places.
“We have already requested citizens twice to remove vehicles left on roads and footpaths. If they fail to do so within one week, we will tow them away,” the minister said.
He added that Bengaluru Traffic Police have already identified 1,581 abandoned vehicles, with more expected to be identified during the ongoing survey.
Citizens Asked to Report Abandoned Vehicles
The minister also appealed to the public to actively participate in the campaign by reporting abandoned vehicles through the Astra App used by Bengaluru Traffic Police.
He said officials would inspect every complaint, and if a vehicle is found to be genuinely abandoned, action would be initiated under the ongoing drive.
Reality Check Across Bengaluru
A ground survey conducted at several locations in Bengaluru found numerous abandoned and unused vehicles occupying public spaces for months.
Areas where such vehicles were noticed include:
- Wilson Garden 3rd Cross, where several vehicles have reportedly remained parked for years.
- Shantinagar, where abandoned vehicles occupy footpaths near schools and public grounds.
- Neelasandra Road, where rusted and dust-covered vehicles line both sides of the road.
- Anepalya, where damaged and unused vehicles continue to occupy roadside space.
- Behind Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar, where footpaths have been blocked by long-parked vehicles.
- Near Majestic Bus Stand, where even “No Parking” zones have reportedly been occupied by abandoned commercial vehicles for several months.
Officials said such vehicles not only obstruct pedestrians but also reduce available road space, affect traffic movement and create civic and safety concerns.
Move Receives Support
The government’s initiative has received support from various quarters.
Rajya Sabha MP Lehar Singh Siroya praised the campaign on social media, congratulating Krishna Byre Gowda for initiating action to clear abandoned vehicles from Bengaluru’s public roads and footpaths.
The abandoned vehicle removal drive forms part of the Karnataka Government’s broader effort to reclaim public spaces, improve pedestrian infrastructure and enhance traffic management across Bengaluru.
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