Abandoned vehicles in Muharraq up for grabs

Manama

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A total of 187 violations of abandoning vehicles in residential areas in Muharraq had been reported within the past three months.

Authorities have successfully removed 92 vehicles from the streets of the old island, out of which 50 will be soon publicly auctioned.

Revealing the figures recently, Muharraq Municipality Acting General Director and Northern Area Municipality General Director Yousif Al Ghatam said the announced figures were as a result of the intensified inspection campaigns on abandoned cars in residential areas of Muharraq in June, July and August.

In a press release, Al Ghatam said, “The issue of abandoned vehicles has lately become a dangerous phenomenon in many areas of Bahrain.”

“With the increasing concern over the lack of parking spaces in Muharraq, authorities had to intervene and remove these vehicles,” he explained.

According to the General Director, the procedure followed after frequent complaints raised by the residents of Muharraq.

He elaborated that a sticker describing the nature of the violation and the necessity of removing the abandoned vehicle was put up on the vehicles.

The stickers warn owners about the removal of their vehicles, clarifying that if they were not removed within a period of two weeks to one month, the municipality will take the necessary procedures and remove them.

Al Ghatam highlighted that residents actively assisted in making the campaign a success by informing the municipality about the violating cars in their areas.

Technical Services Director Entisar Al Kubaisi said, “The municipality has announced earlier that it is launching a new campaign to curb this phenomenon.”

She stated, “About 50 out of the detected 187 vehicles will be auctioned soon, in co-ordination with the concerned authorities and after municipal procedures are completed.”

Ms. Al Kubaisi asserted that Bahrain Penal Law strictly prohibited abandoning vehicles on public roads of cities and villages.

“The municipality is intensifying its efforts to eradicate this phenomenon which harms the environment by becoming a habitat for insects, rodents and reptiles in addition to sullying the civilised view of the country,” she added.