If cars shooting past you on the city’s streets are a nuisance, then the ones gathering dust on the wayside are no less of an irritant. Numerous vehicles that have been abandoned on the roads by owners are a major reason for traffic jams in Mumbai. Finally, BMC that was running short of space to dump them has identified another plot to do so in Wadala.

An official from the removal of encroachments department of the civic body said, “These vehicles cause myriad problems, most importantly encroaching upon precious space on the already cramped roads. Last year, a lot of such cars were removed to minimise the possibility of a terror attack in the city. But there wasn’t much space at the Lower Parel dumping yard, which made things difficult.” Abandoned vehicles from the city area are unloaded at this plot, where they are kept till owners claim them after paying hefty fines. BMC generates a considerable amount of revenue in these drives, as the owners have to pay a penalty of about Rs 7,500 for four-wheelers, the amount increasing by Rs 150 for each day they remain unclaimed.