Since the beginning of 2019 till now
Muscat Municipality: 3154 cars abandoned in the governorate
- Such phenomenon deprives others from their right to use public parking lots.
- The Municipality has the right to tow away and detain abandoned vehicles at the owner`s expense after the legally required period expires.
By: Bushra Al-Busaidiyah
A recent statistic from Muscat Municipality revealed that the Municipality towed away (425) car neglected in Bawshar, in addition to (2572) in Seeb, and (67) in Grand Mutrah, and (90) in al Amirat since the beginning of 2019 until now.
There is no doubt that abandoning cars at streets, parks or public lots deprives others from using public squares and parking lots. The phenomenon also causes a traffic congestion at roads or entrances and exits of residential neighbourhoods. Furthermore, cars abandoned for long time accumulate dust and they are likely to host rodents or insects.
Article No. (2) of the provisions of administrative decision no. (171/2018) on the organization of vehicles discarded in public places in the governorate of Muscat forbids leaving the vehicle in a public place in a way that distort the aesthetic beauty of the city.
Article (3) stipulates that the Municipality shall put a warning label on abandoned cars then coordinating with the Royal Oman Police, during the seven (7) days from the date of the putting the label; to make sure vehicle has no circular been made against it.
Article (4) stipulates that the Municipality may tow away and detain vehicles neglected 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. As stated in Article (5), an administrative fine is imposed when the owner appeals for the Municipality to take the vehicle. The amount is (200) omr for cars, buses designed to transport fifteen (15) passengers or less, motorcycles, and (400) omr for trucks, buses designed to transport more than fifteen (15) passengers, trailers, tractors, equipment, in addition to (1000) omr vehicle intended for the transport of hazardous materials.
A fine of (5) omr is imposed for each day late from taking vehicles from the reservation 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. Article No. (79) of local decision (No. 1/2006) on prevention public health stipulates it is not permissible to leave the vehicle on the road to avoid accidents or blocking traffic".
These decisions stem from Muscat Municipality pursuit to maintain the general appearance of the city and as efforts made to improve the urban aspect of Muscat.