Bhubaneswar: Police have started a process to auction unclaimed vehicles that are gathering dust at various police stations across the city.

Last month, the police had organised a mela in the city and returned as many as 43 stolen motorcycles to their owners.

In the first phase, the police have decided to auction 30 vehicles that are lying neglected at the Reserve Office here. In the second phase, unclaimed vehicles kept at various police stations will be auctioned.

The dumped vehicles have turned several police stations into junkyards. Most of the police stations are facing space crunch due to piling up of vehicles. Police stations in areas such as Capital, Nayapalli, Limgaraj, Kharavela Nagar and Khandagiri are the worst sufferers of space crunch due to piling of seized and unclaimed vehicles.

The concerned inspectors of police stations have also already submitted a list of unclaimed vehicles at their respective police stations. "We have asked the Regional Transport Office to inspect the vehicles and fix their price. After that, we will move court seeking auction of the vehicles," said deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

Law prohibits the officers to dispose of seized articles before completion of trial or permission from appropriate authority. "Since trial is a lengthy process, the value of such vehicles keeps on decreasing after lying neglected for long. They are sold almost at scrap rates," said an officer.