Officials from the BBMP say that the scrapping process of such vehicles might tentatively begin next year.
Old vehicles continue to remain abandoned on the city’s streets despite earlier efforts from the Bengaluru Traffic Police and the Bruhat Bengaluru MahanagaraPalike (BBMP) to identify and remove them. While officials from the traffic police said that it is an ongoing process, BBMP officials said that final decisions on the guidelines for the departments involved in scrapping and disposing of these vehicles are still pending.
Dr. Anil Kumar P. Grampurohit, Police Inspector at the Traffic Management Centre, Bengaluru Traffic Police, said that the abandoned vehicles are usually found in isolated locations, near dilapidated buildings, construction sites, or stormwater drains, strategically placed in areas with lesser traffic movement. “The abandoned vehicles often include non-roadworthy goods carriers, autos, and vans,” he said. However, he added that citizens are prompt in reporting such instances to the police. “Once such vehicles are identified, the police contacts the owners using the registration details, if they are still visible, and direct them to remove the abandoned vehicles,” he said. Inspectors from the 48 traffic police stations in Bangalore conduct regular surveys to identify and address the issue of abandoned vehicles throughout the city, he added.
He also mentioned that some abandoned vehicles result from the practices of automobile mechanics who leave them on the streets until they find the spare parts they need. “Licensing authorities should consider the storage space of such establishments before granting licenses,” he said. Once the police identify these abandoned vehicles, it is the BBMP’s responsibility to select suitable dumping yards and oversee the vehicle disposal, he added.
However, an official from the BBMP Traffic Engineering Cell (TEC) said that despite collaborative efforts with the police to pinpoint abandoned vehicles, no actions have been initiated regarding the scrapping of these vehicles or the identification of suitable dumping yards. “Guidelines to carry out the process are being developed and the department responsible for executing the scrapping procedure will soon be identified,” he said. The scrapping of these vehicles will tentatively begin next year, he added.
Soumya, a working professional, said the abandoned vehicles not only affect the city’s aesthetics but can also become potential breeding grounds for dangerous activities, animals or waste disposal. “The old seized vehicles near the Madiwala police station, not only clutter the streets but also encroach the pavements,” she said. This creates an unpleasant atmosphere in the area, especially for those who commute from there often, she added.
Dr. Lokeshwari M., Assistant Professor in the Civil Engineering Department (Environmental Engineering) at R.V. College of Engineering, explained the legal complexities associated with towed vehicles in police custody and their disposal. “Such vehicles must first be cleared after going through the legal proceedings before they can be returned to their rightful owners. The police do not have the authority to dispose of these vehicles,” she said.
Addressing the scrapping of old vehicles, she highlighted the responsibility of the vehicle producers under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The automobile manufacturers must retrieve vehicles from owners after their useful life, which is usually 15 years, is over. Owners can then either exchange them for a new vehicle or receive a discount, she said. “Given that citizens usually dispose of vehicles that are no longer roadworthy, as these are prohibited within city limits without a fitness certificate, the authorities must identify such vehicles,” she said. Simultaneously, vehicle producers should establish collection centres for citizens to exchange or surrender their old vehicles conveniently thus ensuring a more streamlined and environmentally conscious process for vehicle disposal, she added.
Shrikant Deshmukh, Chaiperson, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Recycling Group in a seminar organised on EPR, said that following EPR has become necessary to create a sustainable future and that a framework must be developed to achieve this goal. The report ‘Key Policy and Regulatory Initiatives in Indian Automotive Industry since 2006: Impact, Challenges, and Opportunities’ by SIAM addresses the need for an incentive based scheme to encourage vehicle owners to replace their older vehicles with new generation products which are more efficient and environmentally safe.
Grampurohit pointed out that the disposal of vehicles on the streets disrupts the smooth traffic flow and unnecessarily occupies valuable space. “The areas surrounding abandoned vehicles often turn into hotspots for unruly behaviour and attract stray animals,” he said. While authorities need to prioritise the prompt disposal and scrapping of existing abandoned vehicles, equal attention should be given to preventing new instances of dumping, he added.
“It is not only the responsibility of the authorities but also citizens themselves to proactively contact the Regional Transport Office (RTO) when their vehicles become unfit for the road, requesting proper scrapping,” he said. This approach will not only free up significant space in the city but also promote environmental sustainability, ultimately making the city more liveable and secure, he said. Achieving this goal requires collective efforts, involving contributions from everyone, including NGOs and student organizations, to identify and report abandoned vehicles to the authorities, promoting a cleaner and safer environment in the city.
