• Roads in residential areas and main roads used to park scrapped vehicles
• Vehicles stripped of parts and left for years;  Rusted vehicles turn dangerous for curious kids
• Mysuru residents want Bengaluru-style stringent action similar to ‘Operation Footpath’

Mysuru: As the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) intensifies its drive to remove abandoned vehicles from city’s roads, residents of Mysuru have urged the authorities to launch a similar initiative to clear  vehicles that have remained parked on public streets for years. The ‘Clean Bengaluru’ campaign, headed by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byregowda, has drawn widespread attention across the State.

In Mysuru, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has already launched ‘Operation Footpath’ to remove encroachments and clear vendors  from pavements.

Citizens now want the civic authorities to extend the exercise to abandoned vehicles occupying public roads.

Under Bengaluru’s initiative, Greater Bengaluru Authority officials are affixing notices on abandoned vehicles, directing owners to reclaim them within 15 days after paying the prescribed penalty. Vehicles that remain unclaimed are liable to be seized and auctioned.

Residents point out that Mysuru has hundreds of abandoned vehicles occupying roadsides in several localities, with little or no information available about their owners. Besides obstructing the free flow of traffic, these vehicles often encroach on pedestrian space and pose safety concerns.

In city’s several areas

The problem is not confined to a few areas. Abandoned vehicles can be seen in several parts of the city, including Mandi Mohalla, Bannimantap, Bamboo Bazaar, Agrahara, Rajivnagar, Sathagalli, Kalyanagiri, Nazarbad and Gokulam.

Most of these vehicles do not have registration number plates, making it difficult for authorities to trace their owners. Several have deteriorated beyond recognition, while others are missing doors, wheels or other major components after being left unattended for years.

Some residents suspect that a few vehicles may have been abandoned after being used for criminal activities and have called for a thorough verification. They believe that identifying the owners and investigating the vehicles could help Police gather leads in pending criminal cases.

Residents have also urged the authorities to take action against automobile consultancies, garages and certain boarding and lodging establishments that routinely park vehicles on public roads, causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians alike.