Punjab Local Bodies Minister Sanjeev Arora has directed the removal of all scrap, abandoned, unclaimed and seized vehicles lying at police stations, on public land and in public spaces across the state. The vehicles will be shifted to designated yards as part of a broader drive to improve urban administration and civic management.
The minister said the exercise would be completed within 30 days. Joint teams comprising the police, municipal corporations, traffic police and district administration will immediately begin a survey, prepare a detailed inventory of such vehicles and ensure their relocation within the stipulated timeframe. Vehicle owners have been advised to approach the concerned police stations or municipal bodies to resolve the status of their vehicles independently.
Arora said a large number of old and seized vehicles parked in cities were creating serious administrative and civic issues. He noted that these vehicles pose a significant fire hazard due to fuel residue, electrical faults and inflammable materials. Abandoned vehicles also accumulate stagnant water, encouraging the breeding of mosquitoes and rodents and increasing the risk of diseases such as dengue and malaria.
He added that police station premises should be used for operational requirements, emergency services and public interface, not for long-term vehicle storage. Vehicles parked on roads and public land obstruct traffic and adversely affect urban cleanliness and aesthetics. Leakage of oil, chemicals and heavy metals from damaged vehicles also contributes to soil and groundwater pollution.
The minister clarified that the action would be carried out strictly in accordance with the law, including the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act. All identified vehicles will be tagged and photographed, and notices will be affixed. Where owners can be traced, they will be given a legal opportunity to reclaim their vehicles. Seized vehicles will be moved only after completion of all legal formalities to ensure that judicial proceedings are not affected.