Bengaluru: Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which is set to launch a citywide drive against abandoned vehicles Friday, issued a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) that lays down the process for identifying, towing, and disposing of vehicles left on roads, footpaths, and other public spaces.The drive, to be carried out jointly by the city corporations, traffic police, and Regional Transport Office (RTO), is aimed at reclaiming road space as abandoned vehicles continue to occupy carriageways and footpaths. Civic authorities said they have been receiving complaints from resident welfare associations about vehicles left unattended for months, affecting pedestrian movement, restricting emergency vehicle access, and creating garbage dumping spots.Under the SOP, traffic police will identify abandoned vehicles and record photographs, the date and time, geo-coordinates, registration number, and the condition of the vehicle before sharing the details with the city corporation concerned. Corporation officials, along with traffic police and RTO personnel, will then conduct a joint spot mahazar, trace the owner through the Vahan portal, and issue a statutory notice directing the owner to remove the vehicle within seven days.Vehicles that remain unclaimed after seven days will be towed to designated storage yards. Owners seeking their release must pay towing charges and other fines. The towing charge fixed by GBA is Rs 650 for two-wheelers and Rs 1,000 for four-wheelers. If no valid claim is made within 15 days, the vehicle will be disposed of through a registered vehicle scrapping facility under the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, 2021.Bengaluru South City Corporation said it has identified seven locations to park towed vehicles and handed over six towing vehicles to traffic police. Commissioner KN Ramesh said the sites include land near Fortis Hospital on Bannerghatta Road, Ragigudda Metro station, Kadirenahalli, AECS Layout, Vijaya Bank Layout, Yelachenahalli Metro station, and BTM Layout police quarters. North corporation commissioner Pommala Sunil Kumar said land has been identified at Kogilu.
