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29 March 2024

'Dumped' vehicles in Dubai to be towed away; drive starts in Discovery Gardens

The notice was placed last week on some of the abandoned vehicles, say residents (Parag Deulgaonkar)

Published
By Parag Deulgaonkar

Just months after the Dubai government issued a law regulating the disposal of impounded vehicles, a drive of removing 'dumped’ vehicles is taking place in Discovery Gardens, a master community with 25,000 residential apartments.

The vehicles currently occupying one parking space in the sprawling community, have a notice placed on them by Nakheel Asset Management and Infrastructure, warning owners to remove their cars or they would be towed away by the authorities.

“You vehicle/boat is parked illegally and you are in violation of Nakheel community rules and regulation. Please remove your vehicle within two weeks from the date of this notice or your vehicle will be towed away by authorities,” reads the notice, which does have any date printed on them.

“The notice was placed last week on some of the abandoned vehicles,” Rachana Kumar, a resident of Discovery Gardens, told Emirates 24|7.

“One of the cars has been parked here for years. They are a risk to our health and safety as they may contain hazardous waste. It is time they move them,” she added.

Anees K Ahmed, another resident, agreed, saying there were two ‘abandoned’ cars in his cluster’s parking lot.

“I have seen two cars parked here for years now and occupy parking space. Authorities do need remove them,” he asserts.

This website had reported in early 2013 of a similar drive in the community though vehicles were not moved.

Dubai Police has said residents should report abandoned cars or cars neglected for a long time to them. In normal cases, police will inform Dubai Municipality to tow away the vehicles, while police will investigate only if the case is suspicious.

In August 2015, Dubai government issued Law No 23 of 2015 regulating the disposal of impounded vehicles, which aims to activate the role of the Dubai Police as a central entity responsible for disposing off impounded vehicles after three months of impoundment in co-ordination and co-operation with other government competent authorities. No fees or fines shall be levied on impounded vehicles under disposal after the grace period.


Under the law, Dubai Police shall, after the expiry of the three months, notify the owner of the impounded vehicle to reclaim it and then inform the creditors to take legal procedures to guarantee their right within 30 days of the date of notification, which will be published in two local widely circulated newspapers, one in English and the other in Arabic.

The new law replaces Law No. 34 of 2008 regarding the disposal of the seized vehicles, machinery and motorcycles and its amendments and annuls any provision in other legislation that challenges its provisions.

Discovery Gardens has 291 buildings, with more than 90 per cent occupancy reported in the community.