The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in collaboration with the city’s traffic police, has initiated an intensified campaign to remove abandoned vehicles that have long occupied public roads, obstructed movement, and contributed to congestion across the city. The coordinated action seeks to reclaim urban space and improve road safety as part of a wider effort to make Pune’s streets more efficient, pedestrian-friendly, and sustainable.
Municipal officials have issued strict directives to identify and dispose of vehicles left unattended for extended periods. Notices will be affixed to such vehicles, granting owners 48 hours to respond before towing and disposal as per government norms. The initiative aims to eliminate the visual and functional clutter caused by derelict vehicles, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods. According to civic estimates, between two and three lakh abandoned or illegally parked vehicles are currently scattered across city roads, blocking traffic lanes and encroaching on pedestrian paths. Officials noted that the accumulation of such vehicles has grown significantly over the past few years due to rapid urbanisation, limited parking infrastructure, and inadequate enforcement.
A senior PMC official stated that the drive represents more than a logistical operation—it is a step towards reclaiming public space and improving the liveability of Pune’s urban environment. “Every vehicle removed is a few more square metres of public space returned to the people,” the official said. The campaign is being coordinated with the Additional Commissioner of Police, ensuring stronger inter-departmental collaboration between the civic body and law enforcement. Police officials added that the removal of abandoned vehicles, previously a routine exercise, will now be carried out on a sustained and larger scale. Citizens are encouraged to report such vehicles through the Pune Traffic Police mobile app, allowing for quicker response and transparency.
Urban planners have welcomed the move, noting that effective management of on-street parking and abandoned vehicles is essential to sustainable mobility. They emphasised that reclaiming public space can also support non-motorised transport and reduce traffic-related emissions. The drive, while seemingly small in scale, reflects Pune’s growing focus on urban resilience—ensuring that roads serve people rather than remain cluttered with neglected machinery.
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