In a bustling metropolis like Mumbai, where space is at a premium, the Bombay High Court has made it crystal clear that seized or abandoned vehicles cannot just be left lying around in public areas. The court has issued a firm directive to all police stations to strictly adhere to the traffic police’s guidelines on how to dispose of such vehicles, rather than cluttering up the already congested streets of Mumbai.
A panel of Judges, comprising G S Kulkarni and Advait Sethna, emphasized that simply dumping these vehicles at a disposal site is not sufficient. They emphasized the need for continuous efforts to get rid of them. The court’s order, issued on May 8, highlighted the challenges faced by a city like Mumbai, where every inch of space is valuable and cannot be taken up by abandoned vehicles.
The case was brought before the court by the Marathon Maxima Co-op Housing Society, which expressed concerns about the parking and dumping of towed or confiscated vehicles by a nearby police station. This practice was causing obstructions outside the society’s gates. The additional commissioner of police from the traffic department confirmed in an affidavit that instructions had been sent out to all police stations in the city to relocate all abandoned or seized vehicles to a designated dumping yard.
The court urged the state government to identify suitable locations in each ward for the disposal of these vehicles. They stressed that a mere one-time dumping of vehicles would not suffice. Continuous action must be taken to dispose of these vehicles properly. The court scheduled a further hearing on July 2 to review the progress made by the traffic department in addressing the issues raised by the petition.
The court emphasized that the directives issued by the traffic department must be strictly followed by all police stations. Officers in charge were instructed to comply with the orders and not allow vehicles to accumulate outside their stations. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in disciplinary action against the responsible officers. Additionally, the traffic police revealed that a contract had been awarded to a private company by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to identify and scrap abandoned vehicles.
Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like a pretty big deal for a city like Mumbai where every inch of space counts. The High Court’s order to clear out abandoned vehicles from public areas is a step in the right direction to address the overcrowding and congestion issues on the streets. Let’s hope the authorities follow through with the directives and come up with a long-term solution to prevent such problems in the future.
Overall, the court’s decision to crack down on the improper disposal of seized or abandoned vehicles is a much-needed move to reclaim public spaces in Mumbai. By enforcing strict guidelines and continuous action to dispose of these vehicles, the city can work towards alleviating the congestion on its streets and footpaths. The upcoming hearing on July 2 will provide an opportunity to assess the progress made in addressing this pressing issue and ensure that the directives are being implemented effectively. Let’s hope for a cleaner and more organized Mumbai in the days to come.
