8 lakh defaulters yet to pay up for vehicle challans
Over eight lakh defaulters have not paid motor vehicle challans that were issued to them by the police for violating traffic rules. The due amount is estimated to be in crores.
Measures Proposed
- Temporarily suspend services like issuance and renewal of driving licences, registration certificates of people who have not compounded their challans
- Launch a mass media campaign to educate the public
- Impose higher fines on those who fail to compound their challans within 90 days
- Cancellation or suspension of driving licences of persons with multiple, serious or non-compoundable challans
According to the police, there has been a surge in unresolved challans from the year 2019 to 2024, with 4,00,510 cases pending in courts and 3,00,373 with the police. Despite being sent SMS alerts, summons, and special hearings in National Lok Adalat, violators are not paying any heed.
To tackle the issue, the police have proposed to temporarily suspend services for violators who have not compounded their challans. These services include the issuance and renewal of driving licences, registration certificates, and related services until the pending fines are paid. Additionally, the police have also proposed to impose higher fines on those who fail to pay up within 90 days of issuing of challans. The police will also recommend the cancellation or suspension of driving licences of persons with multiple, serious or non-compoundable challans. A centralised database will also be created to flag these violators, ensuring their information is shared with the national transport portal for nationwide enforcement.
The police also intend to launch a mass media campaign through roadside billboards to educate the public about the consequences of non-complying with challans and the new measures.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Traffic, Tourist, and Railway (TTR) Narvir Singh Rathour said that many vehicle owners have outdated contact details, resulting in missed notifications regarding violations.
“The digital challaning procedure has led to the non-impounding of driving licences and registration certificates, weakening enforcement. There is also a need to improve public awareness and to streamline communication between enforcement agencies and vehicle owners,” said Rathour.
“We have also proposed to the Police Headquarters (PHQ) to extend the holding period for motor vehicle challans from the current 15 days to 45 days. Once we receive approval from PHQ, the holding period will be officially extended. This change will help people to settle their vehicle challans with the police,” the ASP said.
