Muscat Municipality: Intensive Efforts To Combat Abandoned Vehicles Phenomena
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More than 1000 vehicles towed away in Seeb in 2017.
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Issuing administrative decision no. (171/2018) regulating parking vehicles in public places in Muscat governorate.
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Imposing a fine of (200) rials for cars and buses, and (400) for trucks.
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Article (79) of public protection decision (1/2006) prohibits leaving vehicles on roads to avoid accidents or traffic.
By: Bushra Al-Busaidiyah
Photograph: Issam al Zidjali
Complaints of citizens about neglected vehicles phenomena in Muscat governorate have increased recently. This negative phenomena has been annoying people seriously as vehicles accumulate on streets, causing traffic jam or occupying public lots or attracting pest and rodents.
It has even caused some social Implications as unlicensed vendors utilizes such stores to conceal illegal foodstuff in discarded vehicles.
Muscat Municipality efforts
Muscat Municipality makes crucial efforts in creating a sustainable city with improved facilities for all residents. Efforts starts with cleaning landscapes, organising buildings and regulating commercial activities. It also combat phenomena or practices that could affect the aesthetic appearance of the city or annoys citizens or residents.
Facts:
Muscat Municipality in Grand Mutrah recorded about 81 discarded vehicle in the wilyaha, 34 in Muscat and 34 in wadi al Kabeer, plus 262 in Ruwi. Whereas in Bousher, about 117 neglected cars were discarded in 2018 most notably in Ghala industrial area 146 vehicles in 2017.
Legal procedures
Abandoning vehicles for long periods is a behavior contradicts with the provisions of administrative decision no. (171/2018) on organising discarded vehicles in public places in Muscat governorate. Article (2) of the regulation prohibits owners of vehicles to leave their vehicles in a public places in away distorting the general appearance of the place.
Article (3) stipulates that the Municipality shall put a warning poster on abandoned vehicles in away distorting the general appearance of the place.
Article (4) stipulates that the Municipality may tow away and seize vehicles discarded in public places at the expense of the owner after (14) days from the date of placing the warning poster, without taking any responsibility for damage to the vehicle during transportation to the place of reservation, and during reservation time.
According to article (5), an administrative fine is imposed on the owner of neglected vehicle after impounding once the owner appeals for the Municipality. The amount is (200) two hundred OMR for cars, buses designed to transport fifteen(15) passengers or less, and bicycles, whereas an amount of (400) four hundred OMR for trucks, buses designed to transport more than fifteen (15) passengers, and trailers, tractors, equipment, in addition to (1000) one thousand Omani rials on the vehicle intended to transport hazardous materials. Another (5) Five OMR will be imposed on the owner of neglected vehicles for each day late from receiving the vehicle from the impound site.
Article (6) stipulates that the Municipality shall coordinate with the Royal Oman Police to take actions to sell the neglected vehicles by a public auction in case the owner of the vehicle fails to appeal for the Municipality to take his vehicle, and paying the fees due within ninety (90) days from the date of towing away the vehicle without an acceptable excuse.