MARCOS GONSALVES
marcos@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: More than 100 abandoned vehicles lying along roadsides or in public spaces have created yet another problem in Margao. The MMC is struggling to find ways of getting rid of them for a very long time.
ABANDONED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN USED FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES
According to reliable sources, a few of these abandoned vehicles may also have been used for criminal activities. Several owners of the vehicles have not responded to the notices issued to them, despite knowing that their vehicle is under suspicion. According to the police, many times criminals make use of vehicles for criminal activities and dump them along the roadside. What is shocking is that the owners of vehicles seem to be least bothered about the problems created due to their abandoned vehicles in the town.
AROUND 100 ABANDONED VEHICLES ADDING TO A SEVERE SPACE CRUNCH
Besides, the vhicles are consuming the parking lot depriving others. However, MMC at its recently held monthly meeting had decided to initiate the speedy process for yet another time to get rid of all the abandoned vehicles in the jurisdiction of the civic body.
The traffic cell of Margao has identified nearly 100 abandoned vehicles in the jurisdiction of Margao municipality and the list of which has been already sent to the civic body for further action.
Speaking to Herald Police Inspector of Margao Traffic Cell Gautam Salunke said that such types of abandoned vehicles are creating major traffic problems in the town, besides leading to accidents.
“The traffic cell has recently surveyed the municipality area and nearly 100 abandoned vehicles have been identified. These vehicles are creating major traffic problems in the town and these issue needs to be taken seriously”, he stated.
“We have even noticed that many vehicles are parked in the parking lots and left abandoned, resulting in depriving others of the parking”, said PI Gautam.
He informed that recently they had a meeting with the Chief Officer of MMC Agnelo Fernandes and a process was initiated to auction the abandoned vehicles.
“This has created a major traffic problem for the people, and hence we have decided to get rid of the problem at the earliest. Several other places have been also identified where the abandoned vehicles are parked for a very long time”, said Lyndon Pereira, Chairperson MMC
THE PAST
In 2020 MMC had initiated the process for removal of the abandoned vehicles lying along roadsides or public spaces. Public notice had been issued giving 15 days to citizens and owners of abandoned vehicles to remove their vehicles from the footpaths and roadsides and MMC had displayed the list of 98 such abandoned/scrap/old/unclaimed vehicles.
DySP Traffic Prabodh Shirwaikar said that under section 122 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, any vehicle found hampering pedestrian movement due to unclaimed, damaged, and parked haphazardly by the roadside has to be removed.
Reportedly the issue of abandoned vehicles was again discussed at the recently concluded MMC meeting, and it has been decided to re-survey again and take action against the abandoned vehicles.
“We are receiving several complaints from the citizens concerning abandoned vehicles in the jurisdiction of the civic body. A recent spot for abandoned vehicles is the pathway next to the wholesale fish market at Madel, Margao”, said Lyndon Pereira, Chairperson of MMC.
He also said that many fish-selling traders are noticed parking and keeping abandoned their four-wheelers at the roadside.
THE FUTURE
The MMC Chairperson said that the Council, “will be very tough” against the abandoned vehicles. “Once more, a public notice will be issued in the next few days and 30 days will be given to the owners to lift their vehicles from where they are abandoned or will auction those vehicles on the spot or will be given for the scrap”, he stated.
