Over 84 percent of Delhi’s traffic challans remain unpaid in the last four years
Over Rs. 3 crore challans were issued between 2021 and 2024, however over 2.5 crore have not yet been resolved. Additionally, the pendency has steadily risen. In 2022, it was 80.3%, up from 76.2% in 2021. In 2023, it increased to 85.3%, and in 2024, when 70.3 lakh of the 74.5 lakh challans were unpaid, it reached an astounding 94.3%.
Compared to challans issued on the scene, a much greater percentage are issued via webcams. Over 2.3 crore challans were issued by cameras between 2021 and 2024, while 68 lakh were issued on the spot.
In 2024, camera-generated notifications accounted for about 65% of all outstanding challans.
There is a complicated system for paying penalties. Speeding infractions and signal jumping are two examples of traffic challans that are digitally detected. The online payment option is restricted to speeding infractions, however pending notifications may be checked at https://traffic.delhipolice.gov.in/notice/pay-notice.
One can file a grievance for signal jumping, and the matter is automatically sent to the virtual court after two weeks.
When asked about the information they received about the challan online, some commuters responded, "Sometimes it comes, sometimes it does not." When faced with on-the-spot challans, many commuters choose to ignore and refuse the traffic cops' requests for payment, citing a lack of funds as one reason, while others prefer to settle through online channels or seek resolution through Lok Adalat.
"The problem is not in paying the challan. The payment link never opens; it keeps redirecting. So, after two or three attempts, people give up and do not pay," says a resident.
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"The challans have been hiked since the implementation of the MV (Amendment) Act, 2019," stated S Velumurugan, chief scientist and director of the traffic engineering and safety section at CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).
For example, a helmet and seat belt violation costs Rs 1,000, a speed violation costs Rs 2,000, and so forth. A lot of criminals don't seem inclined to pay the online challan immediately. In the hopes that it will be waived, they wait to bring it before the Lok Adalat.
Technical issues may also arise while retrieving information. It's time to link the number of infractions with the driver's license in a genuine way, in addition to streamlining the procedure and reminding people regularly.
According to the official, traffic police are working with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to improve the portal's usability and add other notification options outside SMS to alleviate persistent communication problems. "We are to undertake several initiatives to streamline the entire process," the CSIR chief said.
The high rate of unpaid traffic challans in Delhi stems from a complex payment system, technical issues, and limited convenience. Many commuters delay payments, hoping for waivers through Lok Adalat. To tackle this, authorities must streamline the payment process, improve communication, and integrate challans with driver’s licenses, ensuring better compliance and enforcement.
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