The Bombay High Court has directed Mumbai’s traffic authorities and civic administration to deliver a comprehensive policy by April 29 to address the city’s long-standing issue of abandoned and seized vehicles cluttering public roads.
The court’s sharp remarks came in response to growing public concern over how these vehicles are contributing to chronic congestion and rendering footpaths nearly unusable for pedestrians. The order came during a hearing of a public interest litigation highlighting how thousands of impounded or seized vehicles—often left abandoned for years—have steadily encroached upon Mumbai’s shrinking public spaces, particularly around police stations. These idle vehicles, the court observed, are not merely an eyesore but a systemic hazard undermining pedestrian safety and urban mobility.
Taking note of the lack of decisive action by municipal and traffic authorities, the court stated that such neglect amounts to a failure in public administration. Officials were instructed to conduct an immediate ground survey, supported by photographic evidence, and present a clear plan to reclaim public land from seized vehicle dumping. Mumbai’s pedestrian infrastructure is already under stress from poorly regulated construction zones, encroachments, and infrastructure bottlenecks. The unchecked parking of seized vehicles, the court warned, has worsened this urban paralysis. The court found the situation particularly alarming around police stations, where pavements and nearby roads have been rendered impassable due to the proliferation of such vehicles.
Citing the absence of a city-wide or even state-wide policy on seized vehicle management, the judges referred to an earlier directive from April 2023, which had ordered the Maharashtra government to draft a functional and enforceable policy. However, no such framework has been publicly announced nearly two years later. The court expressed strong displeasure at this delay, calling for accountability from the concerned departments. Urban mobility experts argue that unregulated use of public space for vehicle storage undermines sustainability goals and violates the spirit of equitable access to urban infrastructure. In a dense metropolis like Mumbai, they contend, every square metre of land must serve the public good—not serve as a dumping ground for bureaucratic inefficiency.
The court’s call for a detailed report from the Additional Commissioner of Traffic and the Inspector General of Police underscores the seriousness of the matter. It also directed these officials to explore long-term solutions such as dedicated off-site storage for seized vehicles, digital tracking systems, and timely auction or disposal mechanisms. These steps, if implemented, could prevent future backlogs and free up critical public space for more community-friendly uses. The high court bench noted that this problem is emblematic of wider urban governance issues in India’s mega-cities, where multiple agencies operate in silos and accountability is fragmented. It stressed the need for interdepartmental coordination between traffic authorities, the municipal corporation, and the state home department. Only such collaborative mechanisms, the court indicated, could create effective and humane urban policy outcomes.
In an urban ecosystem that is increasingly grappling with climate change, density challenges, and demands for sustainable design, reclaiming public space from misuse is vital. While the legal directive from the court may finally catalyse long-overdue action, the onus now lies with policymakers and administrators to translate judicial urgency into real-world impact. As the April 29 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Mumbai’s civic and traffic authorities. The broader question, however, is whether this moment will lead to a systemic shift in how cities manage their shared spaces—or remain yet another missed opportunity in India’s urban development story.
Bombay High Court Slams Authorities Over Abandoned Vehicles Blocking City Footpaths
