Muscat – Muscat Municipality started removing abandoned vehicles parked in commercial and residential areas in the wilayat of Seeb on Monday.

A statement said, ‘The municipality in Seeb carried out a campaign to remove abandoned vehicles in the wilayat after the time period permitted to take them away lapsed.’

According to the municipality, the practice of abandoning vehicles is illegal and it called on vehicle owners not to leave their cars unattended in commercial and residential areas.

‘Muscat governorate is an important tourist destination. Abandoning cars in public squares and streets is an uncivil practice that mars the aesthetics and security of the city,’ the civic body stated.

Leaving vehicles unattended for an extended period of time violates Administrative Decision No 171/2018 issued on the regulation of neglected vehicles in public places in Muscat governorate.

‘Article 4 states that the municipality can tow away abandoned vehicles from public places, at the expense of the owner 14 days after a warning notice is left on it, without responsibility for any damage caused during the towing process to the yard,’ the municipality stated.