Bengaluru, 18 July 

Bengaluru authorities on Saturday began towing away abandoned vehicles occupying roads and public spaces after the expiry of a seven-day notice period.

The action follows a special drive launched by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and Traffic Police on 10 July, during which notices were affixed to abandoned vehicles. The towing drive was flagged off by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda in Gandhi Nagar under the Central City Municipal Corporation.

Officials said the initiative is aimed at reclaiming pedestrian pathways, improving road safety and keeping footpaths free of obstructions. Vehicles that remained unclaimed despite notices and wheel clamps are now being seized. They will be stored at a GBA-designated facility for 15 days, during which a public notice will be issued in newspapers. Unclaimed vehicles will then be auctioned in accordance with statutory guidelines.

"Roads are public property. Some people leave vehicles parked on roads for years as though they own the space," Gowda said.

According to the minister, 4,249 abandoned vehicles have been identified so far—2,751 by the Traffic Police and 1,498 through public complaints on the Astram app. Across the five city corporations under the GBA, notices have been served on 1,034 vehicles, while 72 owners have paid penalties and reclaimed their vehicles.