Bengaluru police move 11,000 seized vehicles off footpaths to city outskirts

The Bengaluru police launched a campaign called the Safe Footpath Initiative, collaborating with the Greater Bengaluru Authority, to remove more than 11,000 seized vehicles that were cluttering footpaths near police stations. This move came after citizens raised concerns in meetings with authorities about these areas transforming into informal scrapyards and obstructing pedestrian pathways.

Authorities identified as many as 11,341 vehicles, encompassing two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, parked near police stations and planned to relocate them in batches. The Revenue Department granted 26 acres of land in seven locations outside Bengaluru to accommodate the moved vehicles. Owners involved in ongoing legal proceedings can claim their vehicles by presenting a court order at the new off-site storage areas.

Bengaluru Urban Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda revealed that numerous vehicles had been parked in front of police stations for over a decade due to ongoing court cases related to accidents and criminal offenses. When seeking a solution, the police approached the court to establish a fast-track court for clearing the vehicles, but their request was denied.

Ultimately, revenue department officials were consulted to secure land for the relocation. As part of the initiative, 718 vehicles were towed and will be auctioned for disposal, while 2,274 abandoned vehicles have been issued notices. Owners came to reclaim their vehicles, but 718 remained behind.