Government to intensify drive against abandoned vehicles, footpath encroachments in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Tuesday directed officials to prepare a corporation-wise action plan to accelerate the removal of abandoned vehicles and clear footpath encroachments across the five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

The directions come as the state government steps up its campaign to reclaim public spaces for pedestrians. The GBA has already cleared encroachments from about 773 km of footpaths as part of the ongoing drive launched to improve walkability and ease congestion in the city.

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Reviewing the progress of the twin drives through a virtual meeting, Byre Gowda asked officials to draw up detailed operational schedules and ensure close monitoring of field-level staff to improve the pace and effectiveness of implementation.

He directed the City Police and city corporations to work in coordination and submit regular data on abandoned vehicles identified, towed and released after payment of fine. The minister also instructed commissioners of the five city corporations to issue auction notices for vehicles that remain unclaimed for 15 days after being towed.

To strengthen enforcement, Byre Gowda asked each traffic police station to deploy two personnel exclusively for the drive. Marshals should also accompany ward officers while serving notices on abandoned vehicles identified by the police, he said.

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The minister directed officials to continue action against footpath encroachments and impose penalties on repeat offenders. He noted that in several areas where encroachments had been removed, vehicles were being parked on footpaths, and asked officials to prevent such violations.

He also asked officials to examine the possibility of converting wider footpaths into well-designed public spaces and amenities wherever feasible, while keeping pedestrian movement as the primary objective.

Byre Gowda said footpath repair works should proceed alongside encroachment removal. With tenders already completed in several locations and nearing completion elsewhere, he directed officials to expedite the remaining tender process and complete repairs without delay.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Karthik Reddy said 6,576 abandoned vehicles had been identified across Bengaluru, including 2,533 by the police and 4,043 reported by citizens. Notices have been served on 1,605 vehicles, while 263 have been towed. Owners have reclaimed the notified vehicles after paying penalties totalling Rs 2.16 lakh, he said, adding that the enforcement drive would be intensified in the coming days.