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Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has directed the removal of all scrapped, abandoned, unclaimed and confiscated vehicles lying in police stations and other government premises within city limits, ordering that they be shifted to designated yards outside urban areas within 30 days.
Issuing the directive, Sanjeev Arora, Local Government Minister, said the move is part of broader urban governance reforms aimed at improving public safety, sanitation, traffic flow and efficient use of public infrastructure.
Joint teams comprising the Police Department, Municipal Corporations, Traffic Police, and the District Administration have been asked to conduct an immediate survey, prepare a detailed inventory of such vehicles, and ensure the time-bound implementation of the order.
Explaining the rationale, Arora said that long-pending vehicles parked in police stations, traffic yards, municipal properties and along city roads pose serious risks. “Old and scrapped vehicles create fire hazards due to fuel residues and electrical faults, become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents, obstruct traffic, and degrade urban aesthetics,” he said. He added that leaking oil, chemicals, and heavy metals from deteriorating vehicles also contaminate soil and groundwater.
The minister emphasised that police station premises are intended for operational needs, emergency response, and public service delivery, not for long-term vehicle storage.
The government clarified that the action is fully aligned with existing legal provisions, including the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988; Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989; Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016; and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act. All vehicles will be shifted only to authorised scrap yards and recycling facilities, in strict compliance with pollution control and environmental norms.
Before removal, each vehicle will be tagged and photographed, and notices will be affixed. Where ownership is traceable, owners will be informed and given the opportunity to claim their vehicles in accordance with the the law. Confiscated vehicles will be relocated only after completion of mandatory legal documentation to ensure judicial processes are not affected.
Appealing for public cooperation, Arora urged vehicle owners to proactively resolve the status of abandoned vehicles with the police or municipal authorities. “Urban land is a valuable public resource. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to safer, cleaner and better-organised cities,” he said.
