Quick Reads
- Delhi will get a new fully-digital traffic challan system
- Offenders get 45 days to respond to challans
- Online dispute resolution can be raised for no additional cost
- Repeat offenders may face licence suspension due to the new system
The Delhi government is all set to deploy a new traffic challan system that is fully digital and time-bound. This new law enforcement system should make the challan process faster, more efficient, transparent and hard to evade as well.
Under this new system, traffic challans will be issued directly to the vehicle owner, irrespective of whether the owner is driving or not. Once issued, the owner has 45 days to pay the fine or raise an online dispute claim through the official portal. If no response is received by the government in this time period, the challan will be considered as accepted, and the owner will have to pay the fine.
When an owner wants to challenge a traffic challan, they will be able to raise a dispute at no additional cost. However, you will need to deposit 50% of the challan amount to the court, even before the proceedings begin.
Owners with five or more offences (challans) in a year, will be classified as serious offenders. This could potentially lead to suspension of their driver’s licence. But, do note that this will be done only if the challan is proved to be valid, and in favour of the government.
This new system will heavily rely on digital surveillance and an automated challan process. These e-challans will be delivered to the registered mobile number within three days of registration of the offence, followed by physical notification, if required. The government thinks this will reduce delays in law enforcement, and improve accountability. Furthermore, non-payment of challans will lead to restriction on vehicle-related services which include tax payments, and RC transfer among other services.
Our Opinion
We think this move will definitely help Delhi government if reducing the number of offences on the Capital city’s roads (but only if the owners put a number plate on their vehicles in Delhi, which the city is notoriously known for). While this system may improve compliance, it will also make offender to ignore or delay fines in the future.
