Mysuru: Hundreds of abandoned and rusting vehicles continue to occupy roadsides and public spaces across Mysuru even after the Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) final deadline of September 12 for owners to remove them expired.

The MCC had announced that vehicles not cleared by the deadline would be towed away from September 13. However, the promised clearance drive has not yet taken place, with the civic body now saying the removal of the vehicles will be taken up after the Dasara festivities.

The issue has drawn criticism from citizens, particularly as several abandoned vehicles have reportedly remained in the same locations for months or even years. Apart from occupying valuable public space, the vehicles are alleged to obstruct pedestrians and motorists and affect the appearance of the city.

MCC had fixed September 12 as final deadline

The MCC had launched a drive against abandoned vehicles after growing concerns over cars, two-wheelers and other vehicles left unattended on footpaths and public roads.

The civic body initially fixed August 15 as the deadline for owners to remove such vehicles. The deadline was subsequently extended to August 31 after some vehicle owners sought additional time. The MCC later announced September 12 as the final deadline and said there would be no further extension.

MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha had personally participated in the drive by pasting notices on abandoned vehicles between August 25 and 31.

Owners were directed to remove the vehicles within the stipulated period. The MCC had also warned that vehicles remaining after the deadline would be towed away, with the removal expenses recovered from the respective owners.

Towing action yet to begin

Despite the deadline passing, many of the vehicles continue to remain on city roadsides.

The MCC had announced that towing would begin from September 13 with the assistance of jurisdictional police stations. The action was proposed under relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017.

However, no large-scale towing operation was visible immediately after the deadline.

The continued presence of the vehicles has raised questions about the enforcement of the MCC’s own order, particularly after the civic body had clearly stated that September 12 would be the final opportunity for owners to voluntarily remove them.

MCC defers clearance until after Dasara

MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha has now clarified that the abandoned vehicles will be removed after the Dasara celebrations.

According to her, police personnel were occupied with security arrangements during the Gowri-Ganesha festival, making it difficult to undertake the clearance operation as initially planned.

With preparations for the Mysuru Dasara festival now underway, MCC personnel are also engaged in various festival-related works. Based on advice from the Police Department, the abandoned-vehicle clearance operation has therefore been deferred until after Dasara.

The decision means that vehicles which were supposed to be removed from September 13 will continue to remain in their present locations for the time being.

Vehicles have remained for years in some areas

The problem is not limited to a few isolated vehicles.

According to the report, hundreds of abandoned vehicles are scattered across different parts of Mysuru. Some have reportedly remained on roadsides for more than a decade.

Areas such as Bannimantap have reportedly seen scrap and abandoned vehicles occupying roadside spaces for years.

Besides affecting the visual appearance of the city, unattended vehicles can occupy parking areas and footpaths, forcing pedestrians to move closer to moving traffic. Vehicles parked along busy roads can also create difficulties for motorists and potentially obstruct road space.

The issue has particular significance for Mysuru, which receives large numbers of visitors, especially during the Dasara season.

Citizens question delay in enforcement

Citizens have questioned why the vehicles have not been removed despite the MCC issuing repeated notices and announcing a final deadline.

Some residents have also questioned the role of the Traffic Police, asking why unattended vehicles that obstruct traffic or remain on public roads for extended periods cannot be seized.

Citizens have urged the Traffic Police to conduct special drives against such vehicles and auction those that remain unclaimed.

They have also raised concerns about coordination between the MCC and Police Department, saying prolonged delays could allow the problem to continue.

MCC had warned of towing and auction

The civic body had previously warned owners that towing charges would be recovered from them if vehicles were removed by the authorities.

The MCC had also indicated that vehicles could eventually be auctioned if owners failed to pay the applicable charges and reclaim them within the prescribed period.

The enforcement process is therefore expected to involve identifying vehicles, checking ownership details, towing those that remain unclaimed and taking further action according to the applicable rules.

The present delay means the implementation of these measures will have to wait until the Dasara-related commitments are completed.

Dasara preparations take priority

Mysuru is currently preparing for the annual Dasara festival, which begins on October 11 this year. The civic administration is working on multiple festival-related arrangements across the city.

Commissioner Savitha said MCC staff have been conducting inspections from early morning to monitor preparations and identify pending works. According to her, the Corporation is required to complete its preparatory works by September 30.

Against this backdrop, the civic body has chosen to postpone the abandoned-vehicle clearance operation.

The decision could provide additional time for owners of the remaining vehicles to voluntarily remove them, although the MCC has not indicated any fresh deadline for doing so.

Abandoned vehicles remain a civic challenge

The prolonged presence of abandoned vehicles highlights a broader challenge in managing public spaces in Mysuru.

While the MCC has initiated action and issued multiple notices, the latest delay means that the problem will remain visible on city roads until the post-Dasara clearance drive begins.

For residents, the key question now is whether the promised towing operation will be implemented after the festival and whether vehicles that remain unclaimed will subsequently face auction or other action under the law.

Until then, hundreds of vehicles are expected to continue occupying roadside spaces across Mysuru.