GUWAHATI: The vicinity of Dispur police station often remains congested due to the large number of vehicles parked along its perimeter. These include official police vehicles as well as seized, accident-damaged, or recovered vehicles, creating a major hindrance for daily commuters navigating the busy Ganeshguri stretch.
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Commuters and motorists alike have expressed their frustration over the disruption. “It’s chaotic during peak hours,” said a resident who regularly uses the route. “The vehicles block a significant portion of the road, leaving little space for smooth traffic flow.” Another motorist mentioned, “It’s ironic that the very authorities tasked with ensuring smooth traffic are contributing to the congestion.”
The issue stems from a lack of parking space within the police station premises. Speaking to GPlus, a traffic official from Dispur Police Station said, “There is not much space inside the premises. Being one of the busiest stations, we are frequently in transit. The vehicles are parked for a short period. We understand that there are space constraints, but even we have no option. Ultimately, we are here to serve the public.”
A senior police official in Guwahati explained that the seized vehicles fall into three categories, each posing unique challenges:
1. Vehicles involved in legal cases:
These vehicles are tied to ongoing court proceedings and cannot be disposed of until the legal process concludes. “These are the most complicated to manage,” the official said.
2. Vehicles seized after accidents:
Logged under General Diary Entries (GDEs), these vehicles remain in police custody until cleared by the courts or relevant authorities.
3. Stolen and unclaimed vehicles:
These are recovered vehicles where the rightful owners are not immediately identified. Despite issuing public notices in newspapers, many remain unclaimed.
The traffic police further contribute to the pile-up by impounding vehicles parked in no-parking zones or violating traffic rules.
Limited space within the police station compounds magnifies the issue. “Many police stations in Guwahati, including Dispur Police Station, have extremely limited space. The growing number of seized vehicles often spills out into public areas,” the senior official said.
Although the Assam government has introduced a vehicle disposal policy, its implementation remains slow. “We cannot proceed without court clearance or the owners coming forward to claim their vehicles,” the official added.
The lack of immediate solutions continues to inconvenience commuters. A local shopkeeper near the station remarked, “This has been an ongoing problem for years. It’s high time the authorities find a dedicated space for these vehicles.”
As Dispur Police Station struggles with the issue, it highlights a broader challenge of urban policing in Guwahati. With the number of vehicles on the city’s roads increasing daily, finding long-term solutions to these logistical challenges has become a pressing need.
