Pune, 16 March 2026: City is facing a growing problem of abandoned vehicles occupying public roads, adding to the city’s visual clutter already caused by illegal flex boards and banners.
Vehicles left unused for months and even years are now commonly seen parked along roads across the city, raising concerns about traffic congestion, hygiene and public safety.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and city police had launched a joint crackdown against abandoned vehicles in March 2025. During the drive, several vehicles were removed from roads, briefly making many stretches appear wider and less congested.
However, the action lasted only about a month and soon lost momentum, after which the problem resurfaced.
More recently, when the Pune Grand Tour cycling event was organised, authorities once again cleared major roads in preparation for the competition. Vehicles that had been lying unattended for years were removed, and the surrounding areas appeared cleaner and more organised.
However, once the event concluded, roadside parking gradually returned and abandoned vehicles again began occupying public spaces.
The issue is visible across the city, from busy markets and traditional peth areas in the central parts of Pune to internal roads in suburban neighbourhoods. These vehicles not only reduce road space but also contribute to traffic congestion.
Over time, dust, garbage and debris accumulate around them, creating unhygienic conditions and posing potential health risks for residents.
Officials estimate that Pune currently has more than 4,000 abandoned vehicles across different parts of the city. During the March 2025 drive, authorities managed to take action against 184 vehicles.
Previously, the removed vehicles were temporarily stored near the riverbed. However, objections were raised regarding this arrangement, forcing authorities to shift them elsewhere. The administration now faces a challenge of identifying large open spaces where seized vehicles can be kept after removal.
According to Somnath Bankar, head of the PMC’s encroachment department, the civic body and police will once again undertake joint action against abandoned vehicles.
“Last year we conducted a drive against abandoned vehicles. A decision has now been taken again in a meeting between the Municipal Commissioner and the Police Commissioner to resume the action. The PMC has also provided cranes to the traffic branch to help lift such vehicles,” Bankar said