All of the scrapped, abandoned, unclaimed, and confiscated vehicles lying at police station premises and other government lands in Punjab will be removed or relocated to the designated yards outside urban areas, as ordered in the state government’s directive, issued on Sunday. The time limit to do the same is 30 days.
Joint teams of the police, municipal corporations, traffic police, and district administrations have been directed to conduct an immediate survey, prepare a detailed inventory, and ensure time-bound execution of this order.
The move is part of the state government's broader urban governance reforms aimed at improving public safety, sanitation, traffic management, and optimal utilisation of public infrastructure, said Local Government Minister Sanjeev Arora, adding that the presence of large numbers of scrapped and confiscated vehicles within city limits has created multiple civic and administrative challenges.
"Old vehicles pose serious fire hazards due to fuel residues, electrical faults, and flammable materials, especially in densely populated urban areas. Abandoned vehicles accumulate stagnant water, becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents, thereby increasing the risk of dengue, malaria, and other diseases," he said.
Police station premises are meant for operational requirements, emergency vehicles, and public service delivery, not long-term vehicle dumping, he noted. Vehicles lying on the roadside and public land obstruct traffic flow and negatively impact the city's cleanliness and appearance. Deteriorating vehicles leak oil, chemicals, and heavy metals, causing soil and groundwater contamination, the minister said.
Arora clarified that this action is fully aligned with existing legal provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (removal of abandoned and unclaimed vehicles), the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 (de-registration and disposal of end-of-life vehicles) and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (safe handling and disposal of non-biodegradable waste, including vehicles).
"All identified vehicles will be tagged and photographed. Notices will be affixed on vehicles. Where ownership is traceable, owners will be informed and given an opportunity to claim their vehicles as per the law. Confiscated vehicles will be shifted after completing all mandatory legal documentation to ensure that judicial procedures remain unaffected," he said.
Arora appealed to citizens to cooperate in this citywide cleanliness and safety drive. Vehicle owners are urged to voluntarily resolve the status of abandoned vehicles with the concerned police stations and municipal authorities, the statement said.
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