BLOG DETAILS
Chennai: A major vehicle e-auction in Chennai has been launched for 5,543 abandoned and unclaimed vehicles that had remained at various locations across the city for several years. The initiative covers two-wheelers, autorickshaws and cars that were identified during inspections and subsequently taken up for disposal through an electronic auction process.
In the first phase, 1,936 vehicles have been assessed and scheduled for e-auction. The remaining 3,607 vehicles are still undergoing valuation , with their auction dates expected to be announced after the assessment process is completed.
The Chennai Police conducted inspections across the city's 12 police districts to identify vehicles that had been lying abandoned on roadsides and other public locations for long periods.
According to the report, a total of 5,543 vehicles were identified, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers and cars . The vehicles were subsequently handed over for disposal through a transparent Greater Chennai Corporation e-auction process.
The move is aimed at clearing long-abandoned vehicles from public spaces while providing a formal mechanism for their disposal through auction.
The first phase covers 1,936 vehicles whose valuation has been completed.
The auction schedule reported for these vehicles is:
| Police District | Number of Vehicles | E-Auction Date |
|---|---|---|
| St Thomas Mount | 180 | August 28, 2026 |
| Kilpauk | 362 | August 31, 2026 |
| Triplicane | 522 | September 2, 2026 |
| Washermenpet | 592 | September 7, 2026 |
| Kolathur | 98 | September 9, 2026 |
| Pookadai | 182 | September 11, 2026 |
| Total | 1,936 | — |
The remaining 3,607 vehicles are undergoing valuation. Their auction schedule is expected to be released once the assessment process is completed.
The abandoned vehicle inventory includes a mix of two-wheelers, autorickshaws and cars .
For buyers looking for an economical vehicle, police or government auctions can sometimes offer opportunities to acquire vehicles at prices below prevailing market rates. However, bidders should carefully examine the vehicle's physical condition, documentation, auction terms and applicable statutory requirements before placing a bid.
The vehicles are being offered through an electronic auction process , rather than through a conventional physical auction.
Prospective bidders should check the official auction notification and auction portal for the relevant lot before participating. The official notice should be treated as the final source for information such as:
Buyers should not rely solely on social-media posts or third-party articles for auction rules , as conditions can vary between auction lots.
Anyone considering a Chennai Police vehicle auction should inspect the vehicle whenever inspection is permitted under the auction terms.
Abandoned vehicles may have remained unused for several years. Therefore, buyers should pay particular attention to the:
A low winning bid does not necessarily mean a low final ownership cost. Repair, towing, documentation, registration-related charges, insurance and other applicable expenses should be considered before bidding.
The successful bidder must follow the payment, documentation and vehicle-release conditions specified in the official auction notice .
The auction authority will provide the documents applicable to the successful sale. Buyers should then complete any required RTO, registration, insurance, fitness or other statutory formalities before using an auctioned vehicle on public roads.
The exact procedure can depend on the vehicle's status and the terms of the particular auction. Therefore, bidders should verify the requirements with the concerned RTO and auction authority rather than assuming that every auctioned vehicle will automatically receive a new registration certificate.
Apart from the 5,543 abandoned vehicles , another group of 102 vehicles seized in connection with narcotics-related cases is also being processed for e-auction through MSTC, subject to court orders and valuation.
The group reportedly includes 81 two-wheelers, 12 three-wheelers and nine light motor vehicles .
The latest Chennai initiative could attract considerable interest from people searching for low-cost bikes, cars and other vehicles through government auctions .
However, bidders should remember that these are abandoned or seized vehicles , and their condition can vary significantly. A vehicle that appears inexpensive at auction may require substantial repairs or additional statutory formalities before it can be legally operated on the road.
The official auction notification, lot details and applicable terms should therefore be checked before making any payment or placing a bid .
| Particular | Details |
| Total vehicles identified | 5,543 |
| First-phase vehicles | 1,936 |
| Vehicles pending valuation | 3,607 |
| Vehicle categories | Two-wheelers, autorickshaws and cars |
| Identification | Chennai Police |
| Auction process | E-auction through the designated authority |
| First phase | August 28 to September 11, 2026 |
| Additional seized vehicles | 102 vehicles under separate MSTC e-auction process |
The Chennai administration's move is expected to help clear thousands of long-abandoned vehicles from public spaces while bringing them into a formal auction mechanism. The next set of Chennai vehicle auction dates will depend on completion of valuation for the remaining 3,607 vehicles.
Chennai , July 9, 2026: In a major drive to clear roads and improve traffic movement, the Greater Chennai Corporation has announced that 2,243 abandoned vehicles removed from various parts of the city will be disposed of through e-auction if their owners do not claim them within the next 15 days .
According to Press Release No. 279 dated July 9, 2026 , the abandoned vehicles were removed by the Greater Chennai Police after they were found parked on roadsides, creating traffic congestion and obstructing public movement.
The civic body stated that the abandoned vehicles were seized from several police station jurisdictions across Chennai, including:
After removal, all vehicles have been shifted and parked at the respective police station premises .
Issued Notice
The Greater Chennai Corporation has appealed to vehicle owners to verify whether their vehicles are included in the published list and complete the claim process within 15 days by contacting the concerned police station.
Officials warned that unclaimed vehicles will be disposed of through an e-auction after the deadline, following the applicable legal procedure.
Owners can check the published list and approach the respective police station with the required ownership documents. Owners whose vehicles have been removed should:
Failure to do so within the stipulated period may result in the vehicle being permanently disposed of through the Greater Chennai Corporation e-auction process.
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Police Department has announced a public auction of condemned police vehicles belonging to the office of the Additional Director General of Police (Crime). According to an official press release, the auction will be conducted on July 2, 2026 , at the CBCID Complex, Egmore, Chennai .
The auction is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM , while interested participants are required to reach the venue before 10:00 AM to complete the necessary formalities and secure entry into the bidding process.
Individuals wishing to participate in the auction must pay an entry fee of ₹100 at the venue. The police department has also made it mandatory for all participants to produce a copy of their Aadhaar Card before taking part in the auction.
Officials stated that only those who complete the required verification process will be permitted to participate in the bidding.
NOTICE
As per the notification, bidders who secure the highest bids for the condemned police vehicles will be required to immediately deposit the bid amount in cash .
In addition, the applicable GST amount must be paid within two days to the designated GST account. Successful bidders will have to submit proof of GST payment to the concerned office for verification.
Following confirmation of the payments, authorities will issue the necessary release orders for the condemned police vehicles .
The public auction will take place at:
CBCID Complex
Egmore, Chennai – 600008
The auction is being conducted for condemned police vehicles under the office of the Additional Director General of Police (Crime).
For additional information regarding the auction process, interested persons may contact the following numbers:
9952022860
9962488150
The auction offers members of the public an opportunity to participate in the purchase of condemned police vehicles through an open bidding process conducted by the Tamil Nadu Police Department.
Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a major crackdown on abandoned and long-idling vehicles parked along city roads, warning owners to remove them within 72 hours or face seizure and eventual auction.
The civic body has already removed 279 abandoned vehicles from various parts of Chennai and plans to clear another 236 vehicles before June 15 as part of an intensified citywide enforcement drive.
According to GCC officials, notices have been pasted on identified vehicles, giving owners a final three-day deadline to claim and remove their vehicles from public roads.
GCC Commissioner Dr. G. S. Sameeran said that vehicles left unclaimed after the deadline will be transported to the Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dumpyards .
The seized vehicles will subsequently be auctioned following the prescribed legal process in collaboration with the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation (MSTC) , the Government of India's e-auction platform widely used for the disposal of government assets and seized goods.
“The vehicles will be taken to the Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dumpyards. They will be auctioned following due procedures in tie-up with MSTC,” the commissioner said.
The corporation has identified over 500 abandoned vehicles across Chennai during recent inspections.
The vehicle category breakup includes:
Officials said many of these vehicles have been occupying public roads for months and, in some cases, years, creating traffic bottlenecks, reducing parking availability and affecting road maintenance activities.
The latest action follows a larger survey conducted by GCC in 2024 , during which officials identified 1,310 abandoned vehicles for removal.
While more than 800 vehicles were removed during that campaign, the auction process faced significant hurdles due to pending police clearances. Several vehicles were linked to criminal investigations and legal cases, preventing authorities from disposing of them through auction.
As a result, many removed vehicles remained stored in dumpyards, while others could not be shifted from their original locations because of ongoing police restrictions.
To ensure faster clearance of abandoned vehicles, GCC has instructed assistant engineers across city zones to conduct fresh inspections along bus route roads and other major corridors.
Officials have been directed to identify vehicles that appear unused or abandoned and initiate the notice process immediately. The civic body believes the initiative will help improve road safety, reduce encroachments and free up valuable public space.
Owners who find GCC notices pasted on their vehicles must act within the 72-hour window to avoid seizure.
Once removed, vehicles may be shifted to corporation facilities and subsequently disposed of through public e-auctions conducted via MSTC after necessary approvals and verification procedures.
With more than 500 abandoned vehicles currently under scrutiny , Chennai residents are being urged to ensure that unused vehicles are not left indefinitely on public roads.
The GCC's latest enforcement drive could result in one of the largest municipal vehicle disposal and auction exercises undertaken in Chennai in recent years.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has removed 525 abandoned vehicles that were left on city roads, causing inconvenience to the public and obstructing traffic movement. These vehicles have now been shifted to Corporation premises.
According to GCC, the list of vehicles has been published on the official website www.chennaicorporation.gov.in . The owners have been given 15 days’ time to reclaim their vehicles by contacting the respective Division Assistant Engineer, Zonal Officials, or local Police Station .
Complete Vehicle List: Click Here
If the vehicles remain unclaimed after the stipulated period, the Corporation will initiate an e-auction process to dispose of them.
A senior official from the Corporation stated that the action was taken to ensure smooth traffic flow and maintain public convenience. The move is also aimed at clearing long-abandoned vehicles that could otherwise be misused or pose safety risks.
Shenoy Nagar
Chennai Corporation Yard, 1st Main Road, Chennai - 600030.
Kodungaiyur Dumping Ground (KDG)
Gate No-3, Chennai - 600118.
Avadhana Pappayya Street
Corporation Malariya Store, No.90, Choolai High Road, Chennai - 600112.
Pallikaranai Old Dumping Ground
Velachery-Tambaram Road (Opp. National Institute of Wind Energy), Chennai - 600100.
