A tripartite committee consisting of the Governorate of Makkah province, Makkah traffic and police departments ended its meeting to launch the first campaign of its kind to rid the streets of the holy city of abandoned vehicles. The committee announced its intention to proceed with removing abandoned vehicles early next week in order to end congestion of vital roads, improve parking and end the visual pollution and potential fire hazard such vehicles create. Officials also said they hope to end the practice of using the vehicles for housing stolen goods and contraband. The committee's announcement came after a public outcry over the situation. “Makkawis have been suffering from the growing number of abandoned vehicles on the road. The debris that collects under them often catches on fire, they impede traffic and are an eyesore. It takes no stretch of the imagination to realize the importance of keeping the holy city clean,” said longtime Makkah resident Seraq Al-Aqel who added that owners of abandoned vehicles should be punished. Saad Al-Salmi stressed the importance of finding a permanent solution to the problem as he said many vehicles owners abandon their old cars if they accumulate too many fines or they become too expensive to repair. Asad Ibrahim, a resident, said it was everyone's duty to cooperate with the authorities. “We have to keep the holy city clean and I think it is the duty of every Makkawi to help get rid of this dangerous and uncivil phenomenon by reporting anyone who disposes of his vehicle by abandoning it on the street,” he said. Lt. Col. Fawzi Al-Ansari, Makkah Traffic Department spokesman, said authorities would begin posting notices on abandoned vehicles in which owners will have 15 days to dispose of the vehicles through the proper means. Failure to do so will result in the vehicle being impounded. __
