BMC

abandoned cars

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

scrap godowns

towed away 6,413that littered the streets between Jan 2016 and Aug 2017; another 605 are still occupying premium road space.While an average Mumbaikar has to pay through the nose to be able to park on the streets, around 7,000 abandoned vehicles have been eating up space on the roads for free over the past two years. As each vehicle takes up around 124 sq ft, this adds up to around 20 acres of precious space that these ‘dead’ cars have been occupying.According to(BMC) figures, 6,413 abandoned vehicles occupied city roads from January 1, 2016 to August 23, 2017. Out of these, 2,826 were auctioned while the rest were towed and kept in godowns, claims BMC. Another survey conducted by the BMC’s encroachment removal department in October this year found another 605 abandoned vehicles, which are yet to be towed.As per the official figure obtained from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), each abandoned car occupies approximately 7 ft x16 ft = 124 square foot space on the road. So, 7,000 cars x 124 sq ft = 8.68 lakh sq ft = approx 20 acres of space, which has been lost to these vehicles.The first phase of the auction was held on August 23, when BMC invited tenders for 2,826 vehicles, through which the BMC earned a revenue of Rs 1.14 crore.Two months later, the BMC undertook another survey to check the ground reality, and found that 605 such cars were still occupying space on the roads. Hence, the city currently has lost 75,000 sq ft, or two acres, of land to this ‘encroachment’.The BMC’s action came after Mumbaikars have been repeatedly complaining to authorities regarding these abandoned vehicles which not only eat into already cramped streets but also pose a security risk.Regarding the process to remove these vehicles, assistant municipal commissioner, Madhukar Magar said that BMC pastes a notice on abandoned vehicles and it is towed within 48 hours. A 30-day period is given to the owners to claim the vehicles, which are kept at BMC’sin Worli, Andheri and Ghatkopar.“If the owner claims the car, a penalty between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 is charged for a four-wheeler. The abandoned vehicles are found mainly in wards like Andheri, Malad and Kurla, where there are garages and there are many who own more than three cars. They don’t get rid of their old cars as it holds a sentimental value for them and allow them to rot on the roads,” said Magar.An assistant engineer, maintenance, from K (east) ward in Andheri (E) said, “Most of the abandoned cars were found in Jogeshwari, Andheri and Vile Parle. We have pasted 146 notices in one month and 70 more have been added to the list,” he said.Transport experts blame this mess on BMC’s laxity in dealing with the abandoned vehicles. “Cars in working condition are paying parking charges and cars which are scrap occupy roads for free. They cannot be allowed to gather dust and use up this costly space,” said city-based transport analyst Ashok Datar.He added that auctioning the old vehicles is only the first step in the recycling process and more needs to be done. “All over the world scrapping and recycling is getting serious attention as it is a serious environmental hazard. Cars and two wheelers not only occupy a lot of space but also have expensive components like steel, glass and precious metals, which need to be recycled. Auctioning is just one part of the recycling chain. BMC should create an end-to-end solution so that nobody can dare to leave their vehicles on the road. It should also be made a serious punishable offence. BMC should create a profitable mechanism like involving the whole chain and involving wholesale original manufacturers of cars. The responsibility also lies with those who make cars.”Ashok Ravat, another activist, said that it was a pity that it took over a year to take action against the abandoned vehicles.“The regional transport authorities and the BMC must have a system developed in such a way that such vehicles are removed on war footing. They should be dismantled, recycled for useable parts and their registration must be cancelled. If such an action is taken at regular intervals, it is bound to create a fear among car owners.” he said, adding that owners of abandoned cars should also be meted out stringent punishment. “Parking is a huge problem throughout Mumbai and dead vehicles should not occupy valuable parking space,” added Ravat.