Something is rotten in the state of the vehicles

KOCHI: They paint a picture of the pathetic state of affairs of confiscated vehicles. Instead of finding ways of putting them to good use, the concerned authorities are allowing them to rot away. The place where the vehicles are parked look like a junkyard, with creepers and weeds crawling all over them.  There are almost 50 vehicles which are at the mercy of the  authorities.  The vehicles ravaged by sun and rain are a sight for all those who pay a visit to the Collectorate. Confiscated by the authorities long ago they lie unattended and are turning into trash.The authorities have confirmed that most of the vehicles were confiscated almost four years ago. The vehicles are beyond recognition as they have been covered by creepers.This is an open violation of the High Court directive to the authorities to take immediate steps to auction the vehicles, within one year, and remit the amount to the exchequer which has not been carried out so far. But the stand of the Motor Vehicles Department is different. “We cannot take any steps on a High Court directive. We need orders from the Government which the department is yet to receive,” said an official with the Motor Vehicles Department.Apart from confiscating vehicles from Ernakulam, the department has also seized  vehicles from other districts. “We have informed the concerned authorities. But they have not responded so far,” he said.Most of these vehicles were confiscated two or three years ago and they have been rusting since then. The heavy downpour leads to further deterioration of their state. There are hardly any parts left.