Chennai Corporation Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum for Abandoned Vehicles
The Greater Chennai Corporation has issued a strict ultimatum to vehicle owners, requiring them to remove vehicles that have been idle for months or years from roadsides within three days. Failure to comply will result in seizure and auction of the vehicles. Officials have already removed 279 abandoned vehicles, with an additional 236 slated for removal before June 15.
The corporation has pasted notices on the abandoned vehicles, giving owners a 72-hour deadline to claim their property. According to Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Dr G S Sameeran, the vehicles will be transported to the Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dumpyards. There, they will be auctioned following due procedures in collaboration with the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation of the Union government.
Identification and Removal Process
The civic body has identified more than 500 such vehicles across the city. Among these, 80% are four-wheelers, 10% are three-wheelers, and the remaining are two-wheelers. This initiative follows a survey conducted in 2024, which identified 1,310 vehicles for removal. While over 800 vehicles were removed previously, they could not be auctioned due to delays in obtaining police clearances, as many were linked to criminal cases.
Some vehicles were left in dumpyards, while others could not be removed from their spots due to police restrictions. GCC officials have instructed assistant engineers to survey bus route roads and identify idling vehicles. Additionally, vehicles deemed unfit for auction will be taken to Chindadripet for scrapping.
Challenges and Future Plans
The Tamil Nadu government currently lacks a government-designated scrapyard. The state transport department has proposed creating one on the outskirts of Chennai to handle such vehicles efficiently. The corporation’s proactive measures aim to clear roadsides of long-abandoned vehicles, improving traffic flow and urban aesthetics.
This operation underscores the corporation’s commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring public spaces are not used for long-term vehicle storage. Owners are urged to claim their vehicles promptly to avoid losing them to auction or scrapping.
