Rule change proposed for quick release of impounded vehicles

New Delhi: Amid a crunch in parking space for impounded vehicles , Delhi govt's transport department has proposed reducing the period for releasing such vehicles from 90 days to one month, officials said Thursday. In a recent notification, the department has sought the opinion of stakeholders on the Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The draft amendment, along with public feedback, will be considered by Delhi govt within one month from the date of publication of the notification, according to officials. In the Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Rules, 2019, Section 16 provides for a 90-day period for getting an impounded vehicle released. If it lapses, a 15-day notice is served. If the vehicle is still not released, the impounding agency puts it up for public auction. The new draft amends the 90-day period to 30 days and shortens the notice period to seven days. The amended rules state that beyond seven days, the charges for the vehicle's safe custody and towing will be twice the usual amount, which is Rs 400. If the impounded or towed vehicle is not released within 30 days, a seven-day notice will be served to the registered owner. If such vehicles are still not released, the impounding agency will put them for auction, according to the amended rules. For unregistered/deregistered vehicles, the period for getting them released will be 10 days, after which a seven-day notice will be served. If still not released, they will be put for auction. Transport department officials said there are three pits for keeping towed or impounded vehicles. On an average, 50-60 impounded vehicles reach the pits every day, leaving the parking space overcrowded. The amendment in rules will help free up space for such vehicles, they said. The transport department has three pits — in Burari, Sarai Kale Khan and Dwarka — where impounded vehicles are kept. However, enforcement action against vehicles violating the rules in the city is getting impacted as these pits are cramped. Sources in the department said the overcrowded pits mainly hamper the action against e-rickshaws, as many of them are unregistered and don't have number plates. As a result, the department is not left with any other option but to impound them.