The challan doesn’t matter sir! Why are people of Punjab breaking traffic rules again and again? Cases increased four times

When the government implemented the e-challan system to enforce traffic rules on the roads of Punjab, perhaps no one had thought that its impact would be so big. The figure “One challan every two minutes” is as shocking as it is that it forces one to think whether the roads are becoming safe or just the count of challans is increasing?

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In the last one year, the number of challans has jumped more than four times and the amount of fine has also reached new heights. This is not just a story of statistics, but of the changing system which ‘Third Eye’ is continuously monitoring.

The system was implemented properly, but why did the numbers jump?

E-challan system was gradually implemented in major cities of Punjab. On the lines of Chandigarh model, hundreds of cameras were installed in Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar. As soon as the cameras were activated, the traffic rules started being exposed. While in 2022 there were around 53 thousand challans, in 2023 this number increased to 72 thousand. But the real blow was given by 2024. The challans crossed the figure of almost Rs 4 lakh. The question is whether the cameras increased, or the number of people at fault?

Increase in fines

While the fine in 2022 was around Rs 4.66 crore, in 2023 it reached Rs 12 crore. After this, the fine figure stopped at Rs 83 crore in 2024. Such huge amounts clearly mean that either people are taking the rules lightly, or electronic surveillance has become stronger than before. But the story does not end here. The responsibility of depositing the challan also emerged as a new challenge. In 2024, people were able to deposit Rs 52 crore, but about Rs 31 crore are still outstanding. After all, why is such a huge amount pending?

blacklisting action

The Transport Department is now in a mood to take strong action against those vehicle owners who are avoiding depositing the challan. 6800 vehicles have been blacklisted, whose RC can neither be transferred nor renewed. The department has made it clear that if necessary, it will not shy away from confiscating such vehicles. On some vehicles, a fine of more than Rs 1 lakh is outstanding. The question arises whether this system will discipline people or increase tension?