If you are traveling without the driving license or a helmet and think a little argument with the traffic constables at the various posts in the capital can let any violators get away, think twice, warns Ranchi Traffic SP.
“The e-challan system, which is already in place in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad, has already introduced the e-challan system for now in the city from January 27 onwards for a month. Currently, the system has been launched only at the four posts such as Rajendra Chowk, Birsa Chowk, Radium Chowk and Argora Chowk. We have been able to collect a total of Rs 70,000 through e-challans from the four posts till Saturday noon,” said Traffic SP, Manoj Ratan Chothe.
Chothe also stated that the motorists driving two-wheeler vehicles in the city without helmet has been fined here. “The maximum number of e-challans have been handed out in the past three days is for people traveling without the helmet and the e-challan system is a sure-shot way to curb the growing nuisance as people who earlier thought can get away with heated discussions or speeding away can no longer run away. Now, up to three photographs can be tagged along the case of each violator and that leaves no room for further debate over it and citizens have to pay up,” said Chothe.
The Traffic SP further said that the police department has already tied up with the State Bank of India to enable online fine payment. “After a month, when we launch the e-challan system on all the 36 posts in the city would also cut down on cash transactions for the fine payment. This will help the department keep a better track on the number of violators and transparency in the fine collection,” added Chothe.
The traffic official claimed that the effectiveness of the digitization of the system is undoubtedly, successful in maintaining great transparency in the records. “Whenever any type of offence is entered in the system, the Act and section for the respective offence along with the imposing fine is shown on the system and printed out on the receipt along with the three photographs of the violating vehicle that is bound to bring transparency in the system and saves the traffic constables from the harassment of false allegations of bribery and such,” said Chothe.
Deputy Traffic SP Manoj Xalxo said the system and the implication of the same at the four posts here. “The officers have been provided with tabs for operating the e-challan system. As soon as an offender is caught violating the traffic rules, pictures are clicked and there is no scope for any argument left. The violator is immediately issued a printed challan using the Bluetooth printer on the spot along with an SMS on his mobile. The first day’s total collection at all the four spots had added upto Rs 30,000, which is quite huge. This proves the effectiveness of the implementation of the system,” said Dilip Xalxo.
Xalxo further reiterated that under this system, details of all the traffic rules violators fined since January 1, 2016 has been uploaded in the software. “The data of vehicle registration numbers and owner's details has been synced into the software from the district transport officer's office and the data should soon be updated with the past three day’s details. So, any violator who commits the same offences repeatedly can be fined accordingly to the provisions set aside by the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988,” said Xalxo.
