How Does The E-Challan System Work In India?

Familiarising yourself with a place's traffic rules and regulations is essential to ensure your safety and that of others. However, you may end up inadvertently violating some rules at times. In India, a common violation is driving without valid car insurance and getting caught. In such cases, you must pay a fine or face other consequences depending on the offence. But how do you know if the traffic police have issued you a challan or a penalty notice? And how do you pay it online or offline? That is where the e-challan system comes in handy.

Understanding How the E-Challan System Works

The e-challan system is a computer-generated challan launched by the Indian traffic police to penalise traffic rule violators. This automated e-ticketing system notifies drivers who violate traffic regulations through SMS or email. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 has made the e-challan or the electronic form of challan payment an official notification.

The e-challan system is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) implements it.

The e-challan system works in the following way:

• The traffic police use CCTV cameras, speed cameras, mobile cameras, or handheld devices to capture images or videos of vehicles that break any traffic rules.

• The captured images or videos are then sent to the central server, where traffic officials process and verify them.

• Traffic officials then use the verified images or videos to generate an e-challan with the details of the vehicle number, driver's name, offence committed, date and time of the violation, location of the breach, and amount of fine.

• The traffic department sends the e-challan to the registered mobile number or email address of the vehicle owner or driver through SMS or email. The vehicle owner or driver can also check their e-challan status online by visiting the official website of MoRTH or using the e-challan app.

• The vehicle owner or driver must pay their e-challan online using a debit or credit card or net banking, UPI, and wallet. To pay offline, they must visit any designated traffic police station or court within 60 days from the issue date.

• Once the payment is acknowledged, the vehicle owner or driver will receive a confirmation message or receipt as proof of payment.

Conclusion

The integrated e-challan system is an innovative and efficient way of enforcing traffic rules and regulations in India. It helps reduce corruption, increase transparency, save time and resources, and improve road safety. The e-challan system also encourages drivers to follow traffic rules and avoid penalties. However, it is also essential for drivers to be aware of their rights and responsibilities while dealing with e-challans. They should always carefully check their e-challan details before making payments and report any discrepancies or errors to the concerned authorities. They should also keep their vehicle documents updated and carry them while driving. By doing so, they can avoid any unnecessary hassles and enjoy a smooth and safe driving experience.