Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has stepped up action against abandoned and unused vehicles occupying roadsides, footpaths and other public spaces across the city. The civic body has stuck notices on 382 vehicles, warning owners to remove them or face penalties, towing charges and possible auction of the vehicles.

The drive was launched by MCC Commissioner M K Savitha after the deadline given to vehicle owners to voluntarily clear their unused, scrap or abandoned vehicles expired on August 15. The civic body had earlier warned that vehicles remaining on public property after the deadline would face enforcement action.

The move comes amid concerns that abandoned vehicles are occupying valuable public space, obstructing pedestrians and adding to the city’s parking and cleanliness problems.

MCC begins action after August 15 deadline

The MCC had earlier asked owners of vehicles that had remained unused or abandoned on roadsides, footpaths and other public places for a long period to remove them voluntarily.

A deadline of August 15 was set for owners to clear the vehicles.

The civic body had warned that failure to comply would result in a series of enforcement measures, beginning with notices being placed directly on the vehicles.

With the deadline now over, MCC officials have begun implementing the action plan.

On August 26, notices were placed on 382 abandoned vehicles identified across Mysuru.

The move is intended to give vehicle owners one final opportunity to remove their vehicles before the civic body proceeds with more stringent measures.

Owners given seven days after notices

The notices placed on the vehicles are not the final stage of the enforcement process.

According to the MCC’s earlier warning, owners will have seven days to respond after a notice is placed on their vehicle.

If the owners fail to remove the vehicles within that period, the MCC will begin clearing them from public places.

The civic body will coordinate with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and police while removing the vehicles.

This coordination is expected to help authorities establish vehicle ownership, handle documentation and ensure that vehicles are cleared according to the applicable procedures.

Penalties and towing charges await owners

Vehicle owners who fail to comply with the notices could face financial consequences.

The MCC has warned that owners will have to bear penalties, towing charges and parking charges once the corporation takes action against their vehicles.

This means that leaving a vehicle abandoned in a public place could eventually become considerably more expensive than removing it voluntarily.

The civic body’s approach is therefore aimed at encouraging owners to act before enforcement reaches the towing stage.

The notices placed on 382 vehicles are part of this gradual enforcement process.

Abandoned vehicles could eventually be auctioned

The MCC has also warned that the action will not stop with towing.

If vehicles remain unclaimed or owners fail to respond, the civic body may proceed towards disposal and e-auctioning of the vehicles.

This provides the corporation with a mechanism to deal with vehicles that continue to occupy public spaces despite repeated notices.

The auction process would also prevent abandoned vehicles from remaining indefinitely on roadsides, footpaths or other public areas.

However, the immediate focus is on giving owners an opportunity to voluntarily clear their vehicles.

Civic body highlights public inconvenience

Abandoned vehicles can create several problems in densely populated urban areas.

Vehicles left on roadsides can reduce available road space, while those parked on footpaths can force pedestrians to walk on the carriageway.

This can create inconvenience for commuters and potentially increase risks for pedestrians, particularly on busy roads.

Scrap and unused vehicles can also become an eyesore when they remain in one location for extended periods.

The MCC’s latest drive seeks to address these issues by identifying vehicles that have effectively become permanent fixtures in public spaces.

Action follows earlier reports

The issue had previously received attention through reports highlighting the growing number of abandoned vehicles in Mysuru.

The Star of Mysore had published reports on the issue on July 13 and August 5, focusing on the problems caused by vehicles left unused in public areas.

The civic body’s subsequent deadline and enforcement action indicate that the issue has now moved from public concern to an active municipal drive.

The identification of 382 vehicles provides an indication of the scale of the problem currently being addressed by the MCC.

MCC asks owners to remove vehicles voluntarily

Despite beginning the enforcement process, the civic body continues to encourage owners to voluntarily remove their vehicles.

This would allow owners to avoid the additional costs associated with towing, parking and penalties.

Owners whose vehicles have been issued notices are therefore expected to inspect the notices and take appropriate action within the stipulated period.

The MCC’s warning makes it clear that continued inaction could result in the corporation taking possession of the enforcement process.

RTO and police to assist in further action

If owners fail to respond within seven days, the MCC will coordinate with the RTO and police to clear the vehicles.

The involvement of these agencies is important because abandoned vehicles may have ownership, registration or other legal issues that need to be verified before they are removed or disposed of.

The RTO can assist with vehicle-related records, while police coordination can help address vehicles whose ownership or circumstances require further verification.

This multi-agency approach is expected to support the next phase of the drive.

Public spaces remain the main focus

The MCC’s action is specifically aimed at vehicles occupying roadsides, footpaths and other public places.

The objective is not simply to remove old vehicles but to reclaim public space being used for long-term storage.

Footpaths are particularly important because they are intended for pedestrian movement.

When unused vehicles occupy these spaces, pedestrians may have to move onto roads, creating inconvenience and safety concerns.

Similarly, vehicles left along narrow roads can contribute to congestion and restrict the movement of other vehicles.

Drive could improve city appearance

Removing abandoned vehicles could also improve the appearance of Mysuru.

The city attracts a large number of tourists and visitors, particularly during major events such as Dasara.

Long-term abandoned vehicles can make roads and neighbourhoods appear neglected.

Clearing such vehicles can help improve the visual appearance of public spaces while also making roads and footpaths more accessible.

The action comes just as Mysuru is entering the preparation period for the annual Dasara celebrations, when the city is expected to see increased visitor movement.

Enforcement could expand further

The action against 382 vehicles could be followed by further identification of abandoned vehicles across the city.

If the current drive proves effective, the MCC may continue checking roadsides, footpaths and other public areas for vehicles that have been left unused for extended periods.

The corporation’s warning of towing and e-auctioning also indicates that authorities are prepared to move beyond notices if owners fail to respond.

For vehicle owners, the message is clear: public spaces cannot be used indefinitely to store unwanted or unused vehicles.

What vehicle owners need to know

Owners whose vehicles have received notices should remove them within the period specified by the MCC.

Those who ignore the notice could face additional costs once the corporation begins towing and clearing the vehicles.

The MCC has already outlined a sequence of action — notice, removal by the civic body, penalties and charges, followed by disposal or e-auctioning where necessary.

Therefore, voluntary removal remains the simplest way for owners to avoid further enforcement action.

Civic action follows growing urban parking pressure

Mysuru, like other growing cities, faces increasing pressure on available road and parking space.

While newer vehicles contribute to the demand for parking, old and unused vehicles can occupy spaces without serving any active purpose.

The MCC’s drive addresses this specific problem by targeting vehicles that have remained in public places for prolonged periods.

The initiative could also encourage residents to take responsibility for disposing of vehicles that are no longer in use instead of leaving them on public roads.

Conclusion

Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation has issued notices to 382 abandoned vehicles as part of a drive to clear roadsides, footpaths and other public spaces. The action began after the August 15 deadline given to owners to voluntarily remove their unused or scrap vehicles expired.

Owners have been warned that failing to respond could lead to the vehicles being removed in coordination with the RTO and police. They may subsequently have to pay penalties, towing and parking charges, while unclaimed vehicles could eventually be disposed of through e-auction.

The MCC’s latest action is aimed at reclaiming public space and reducing the inconvenience caused by vehicles that have remained abandoned for long periods. Vehicle owners have been urged to remove the vehicles voluntarily before further enforcement begins.