In a much-needed and long-overdue move, the Kerala State Government has granted permission to publicly auction 8,362 vehicles currently held by the Excise Department. These vehicles, seized in connection with liquor and drug smuggling cases, have long been lying abandoned in government yards and along roadsides, deteriorating under harsh weather and occupying valuable public space.
While this may seem like a routine administrative decision, it addresses a widespread issue that has plagued Kerala’s public spaces for years. Abandoned, rusting vehicles have become common sights near police stations and excise offices. Most of these vehicles were once used for illegal transport of alcohol or drugs and were either abandoned by smugglers during chases or seized during enforcement operations.
Until now, there was no clear or efficient mechanism for dealing with such confiscated vehicles. They would sit idle for years, blocking public spaces, becoming safety hazards, and gradually turning into heaps of scrap metal.
To make matters worse, police and excise departments lack dedicated infrastructure to store these vehicles, which often get parked on roadsides or vacant lots, where they suffer further damage or are stripped for parts. In many cases, these vehicles include luxury cars and high-end SUVs, reflecting the growing sophistication of organized smuggling networks.
Previously, such auctions were handled by the MSTC Limited (a Government of India enterprise) via its e-commerce platform for seized or confiscated properties. While MSTC has a nationwide presence, the auction process was often slow and costly for bidders. A non-refundable registration fee discouraged many local bidders and scrap dealers from participating.
Recognizing these hurdles, the Excise Commissioner of Kerala requested the state government to allow direct district-level public auctions, a request that has now been approved. This move is expected to speed up the auction process and encourage wider participation from local businesses and individuals.
According to the new government order, the first phase of auctions will involve 1,400 vehicles. These will be conducted across multiple districts from August 11 to August 21, 2025. The auction terms and conditions have already been published and interested parties can refer to the excise department’s official channels for details.
The Kerala Police and Excise Departments have announced district-wise vehicle auctions to dispose of seized, abandoned, or unclaimed vehicles. These auctions will be conducted either directly by district authorities or through the MSTC e-auction platform.
Below is the full schedule:
Details of auctions completed so far
Thiruvananthapuram
53 out of 87 vehicles were auctioned
Highest bid - Maruti Alto for Rs 2,75,000
Lowest bid - Hero Honda Splendor for Rs 6,100
Kollam
7 out of 92 vehicles sold at auction
Highest bid - Honda Activa for Rs. 30,300
Lowest bid - Hero Pleasure for Rs. 2400
Malappuram
6 vehicles out of 149 were auctioned
Highest bid - Honda Activa for Rs. 50,100
Lowest bid - Hero Passion Pro for Rs 7,100,
Kannur
17 vehicles out of 201 sold at auction
Highest bid - Maruti Alto for Rs 2 lakh
Lowest bid - TVS Wego for Rs. 9100
Vehicles up for auction in districts and auction dates
Thiruvananthapuram - 87 (August 11)
Kollam - 92 (August 12)
Pathanamthitta - 42 (August 18)
Alappuzha - 100 (August 21)
Kottayam - 69 (August 16)
Thrissur - 56 (August 19)
Ernakulam - 70 (August 18)
Idukki - 55 (August 14)
Kozhikode - 157 (August 21)
Palakkad - 117 (August 20)
Wayanad - 29 (August 14)
Malappuram - 149 (August 11)
Kannur - 201 (August 12)
Kasaragod - 60 (August 16)
| Auction Type | District(s) | Auction Date | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Auction | Malappuram & Thiruvananthapuram | 11 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
| Direct Auction | Kollam & Kannur | 12 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
| Direct Auction | Pathanamthitta | 13 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
| Direct Auction | Idukki & Wayanad | 14 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
| Direct Auction | Kottayam & Kasargod | 16 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
| Direct Auction | Ernakulam | 18 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
| Direct Auction | Thrissur | 19 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
| Direct Auction | Palakkad | 20 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
| Direct Auction | Alappuzha & Kozhikode | 21 August 2025 | Physical / Offline |
Inspection & Catalog: Usually 1–2 days prior to the auction at designated yards
Eligibility: Open to individuals and authorized vehicle dealers
Payment Mode: As per district auction rules (Demand Draft/Cash)
| Auction Type | District | Auction Date | Platform | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSTC e‑Auction | Thiruvananthapuram | 29 July 2025 | MSTC eCommerce | Click Here |
Registration: Required on MSTC portal as a buyer
EMD: Earnest Money Deposit mandatory
Digital Bidding: Login & bid online during the specified time window
Auction Catalog: Includes vehicle list, reserve price, and inspection details
Carry valid ID proofs (for physical auctions)
Register in advance on MSTC for online participation
Read Terms & Conditions of each auction before bidding
Vehicles sold “as-is-where-is” without warranty
Official Excise Department of Kerala:
https://taxes.kerala.gov.in/excise
https://keralaexcise.gov.in/en/
Scrap dealers can bid for vehicles no longer in usable condition.
Budget buyers may find functional or repairable vehicles at affordable prices.
Government lands currently clogged with abandoned vehicles can be cleared.
Public nuisance caused by roadside clutter will be reduced.
Interestingly, this auction only covers vehicles held by the Excise Department. But a far larger number of vehicles are lying with the Kerala Police, also seized in similar cases. Many of these are in worse condition and occupy prime roadside space, creating traffic issues and safety concerns.
The government has been urged to extend the same permission to the Police Department, enabling them to decongest roads and public areas. If done, this could potentially free up thousands of square feet of space across the state.
Government earns revenue from the auction of long-idle assets.
Public spaces are cleared of clutter and potential hazards.
Citizens can buy vehicles (or scrap) at lower-than-market prices.
Departments can redirect resources toward active cases rather than maintaining seized property.
Keep an eye on the Excise Department website and local newspapers for:
Auction catalogues
Bidding instructions
Reserve prices
Locations of vehicles
For updates, visit:
https://kerala.gov.in (Kerala State Portal)
https://taxes.kerala.gov.in/excise (Kerala Excise)
Kerala’s decision to auction seized vehicles is a smart administrative move that balances enforcement, public interest, and resource utilization. While it may have come late, it sets the stage for similar reforms in police and other departments. It’s also a timely reminder that even rusting relics can turn into revenue if managed well.