The public auction of unclaimed vehicles by the city police will conclude on the Medical College Police Station premises on Thursday.
As many as 116 vehicles, including motorcycles, mopeds, cars, lorries, buses, mini lorries, autorickshaws and public utility vehicles have been put up for public auction. The auction began at the Chathamangalm police yard on the outskirts city on Monday. It continued at the same venue on Tuesday and Wednesday. “The auction turned out to be a big success,” said K.B. Venugopal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kozhikode city.
A Royal Enfield Bullet was the star among the vehicles auctioned on Monday. The highest bidder was a person from Malappuram district, who had a sentimental attachment to the vehicle as the two-wheeler had been owned by his late father. He took part in the auction determined to purchase the motorcycle. He had to pay Rs.67,000 besides 14 per cent tax, Mr. Venugopal said.
About 30 vehicles, including a Maruti Alto car, several motorcycles, and a goods-autorickshaw, will be auctioned on Thursday. The police will give an authorisation certificate to the purchaser stating that the unclaimed vehicle had been obtained through public auction.
Using this certificate, the Regional Transport Office will provide a new number to the vehicle. Vehicles aged between five and seven years would be procured at cheap rates and used after repair. “Usually, only vehicle dealers and traders take part in the auction. The participation of the public has made the process popular. It has also brought revenue to the government,” Mr. Venugopal said.
