KUWAIT CITY, July 30: In response to the rising number of public complaints and a directive from senior management, Kuwait Municipality is developing a series of solutions aimed at regulating workflow and improving operations at vehicle impoundment sites in Amghara and Mina Abdullah.

Sources revealed that Deputy Director General of the Services Sector, Mishal Al-Azmi is reviewing numerous complaints submitted by citizens and expatriates, such as the use of undersized and outdated vehicles to tow cars, which reportedly led to damage during the impoundment process. He said one major criticism is the outdated method of documenting violations. “Currently, when a vehicle is found to violate road occupancy rules, a warning sticker is placed and photographs are taken to record the infraction. This approach falls short of the government’s ongoing efforts toward full digital transformation,” sources clarified.

Sources said citizens and expatriates have also raised concerns about the complexity and inconvenience of retrieving impounded vehicles. They pointed out that the process requires individuals to visit the Road Occupancy Department in the relevant governorate to process paperwork and pay fees, before heading to the impoundment site for final release. “This multi-step procedure is burdensome for individuals who are traveling or living abroad, as their vehicles may be towed in their absence and stored at their expense,” sources added.

Sources also revealed that most impounded vehicles are returned to the owners with flat tyres. “Owners must often rent flatbed trucks to transport their vehicles, putting more financial strain,” sources stated. Therefore, the Municipality is considering a number of improvements to streamline operations, reduce complaints, and ensure greater transparency. The following are the proposed measures:

1. Equip tow trucks with cameras to record the vehicle lifting and transport process.
2. Activate notifications through the Sahel app to immediately inform vehicle owners when their cars are impounded.
3. Centralize release procedures, so all transactions can be completed at a single location.
4. Offer a return service, allowing vehicle owners to pay an additional fee to have their vehicles delivered to a location of their choosing.

Officials also emphasized the urgent need to install surveillance cameras around impoundment yards, as many of these facilities are currently unsecured and surrounded only by fencing. These initiatives, still under review by the relevant sector in the Municipality, aim to modernize impoundment operations and reduce the inconvenience and cost incurred by the public.