6,620 abandoned vehicles seized in Sharjah in 9 months

Sharjah - The operations department also removed vehicles left for long periods near the livestock market.

As many as 6,620 abandoned vehicles were seized and 9,688 issued warnings for distorting the general appearance of the city, the Sharjah Municipality has revealed.
The seizure of the violating vehicles was carried out during intensified inspection campaign that started in the beginning of this year and continued till end of September, pointed out Saeed Bourhima, head of operations and municipal control and inspection department at Sharjah Municipality.
"The operations department also removed vehicles left for long periods near the livestock market to ensure appropriate parking for the customers, he added.
Khalid bin Falah Al Suwaidi, assistant general director of customer service sector, said that with the approaching winter, the vehicles become more vulnerable to dirt and filth due to the rains and dusty winds.
He urged the owners of the dirty vehicles to wash them in the designated places after the rain ends, in order to avoid violations.
Al Suwaidi pointed out that the municipality seized a number of abandoned vehicles without licence plates from public places. Cars displayed for sale in non-designated areas were confiscated and broken-down vehicles left on the highway were towed away.
He emphasised that the municipality will continue to carry out inspection campaigns to monitor abandoned and dirty vehicles and take necessary measures against them, as it constitutes a negative phenomenon and fouls the city's appearance.
Bourhima said that to get a seized vehicle released from the impoundment area, one can go to the municipality's website and enter the vehicle's data to be confirmed it is in the yard. Then, the car owner has to check with the Sharjah Police to ensure that there are no restrictions on the vehicle. The last step is to proceed to the municipal office in industrial area number 5 to pay the fines, he explained.
He said that the municipality teamed up with the community police to organise awareness campaign titled 'Do not neglect your vehicle' to educate the public to avoid neglecting their vehicles, especially during annual holidays.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah