The North Goa District Magistrate’s November 2024 proclamation to auction vehicles lying abandoned along roadsides in the talukas of Bardez and Tiswadi appears to have fallen on deaf ears as almost no one has come forward to claim the deteriorating vehicles. The six-month deadline to stake claim ends this May, so it remains to be seen if heed is paid at all.
This long-standing problem was highlighted recently when the NGO, Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN), wrote to the Corporation of the City of Panaji that abandoned cars, motorbikes and other vehicles have turned into a nuisance as they continue to occupy prime parking spaces in the State capital, including in the bustling business hub at Patto. Interestingly, the letter claimed that among the violators were government departments too.
GOACAN’s concerns are valid. It said that abandoned vehicles not only occupy precious parking spaces in Panjim but are also fertile grounds for mosquito breeding, fire hazards and even double up as great hideouts for antisocial elements attempting to flee from law enforcers. Then there are even some vehicles that are abandoned after having been used in the commission of a crime or offence, allowing the criminals to escape scot-free.
A few days ago, the same issue cropped up at Margao after a survey by the authorities concerned found several abandoned vehicles alongside the bustling commercial capital’s highways and ring road that not only obstruct free flow of traffic but also sit on prime parking spaces without fear of being penalised. Most of these vehicles are old and include large trucks, due to which minor accidents have even taken place.
A former chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council claimed that a few years ago, public notices were issued instructing owners to remove such vehicles within 15 days, failing which the vehicles would be removed and auctioned by the authorities. Fifteen days went by and the days soon turned into 45 months, but no action was taken, the ex-chairperson said, which has led to violators taking such notices with a pinch of salt while the common man loses hope.
Unfortunately, the menace of abandoned vehicles is not limited to Panjim and Margao alone. It is a widespread problem affecting almost the entire State, especially the coastal villages where vehicles, mostly rental cars or scooters, that are damaged in accidents are simply abandoned by the roadsides and lie there through rain and shine while obstructing traffic and eating into possible parking slots. It is obvious that a mechanism needs to be put in place for citizens to report the existence of such abandoned vehicles, if any, in the areas that they frequent. Else, the government will be none the wiser as it is clear that the authorities concerned are yet to embark on a State-wide drive to locate such vehicles.
Also, as all vehicles are easily identifiable even if their number plates have been removed, the authorities concerned should use the chassis number of a vehicle to generate details of its owner. Once that is done, strict and consistent action must be taken against the owner by way of fines or other punitive measures to ensure that the vehicle is not only removed but also that its owner is adequately pulled up for indifference to the laws in force.
The Transport Department is soon likely to issue notices to owners of abandoned vehicles once more. It is also likely to reduce the six-month period given to owners to stake claim to their vehicles in order to speed up the process of removing and disposing of them as it sees fit. It is hoped that this time around, the department actually means what it says and that it works in tandem with the other authorities concerned to ensure that decrepit and rusting automobiles no longer stick out like sore thumbs all across the State.