The Supreme Court has called for more effective measures to recover unpaid traffic challans, observing that simply issuing e-challans does not solve the problem unless authorities are able to collect the outstanding fines.

During a hearing, Justice JB Pardiwala said enforcement agencies should explore practical ways to ensure that people clear their pending traffic dues.

One suggestion discussed in court was linking unpaid challans with other government dues. Justice Pardiwala referred to electricity bills as one possible mechanism, saying authorities could explore whether outstanding traffic fines could be added to such bills.

However, the suggestion was part of the court’s discussion and was not issued as a direction for authorities to implement.

Rs 45,000 Crore In Pending Challans

The court was informed that states and Union Territories have approximately Rs 45,000 crore worth of pending e-challan dues.

Of this amount, around Rs 25,000 crore has reportedly been recovered, leaving a substantial amount still outstanding.

Justice Pardiwala stressed that the effectiveness of the system should be assessed not merely by the number of challans issued but by the recovery of the fines imposed.

The court noted that enforcement agencies can generate thousands or even lakhs of e-challans, but the larger challenge is ensuring that violators actually pay the penalties.

Court Suggests Several Enforcement Options

During the proceedings, the Supreme Court discussed a range of measures that could potentially be used against vehicles with unpaid challans.

These included withholding renewal of vehicle registration certificates until outstanding fines are cleared. The court also suggested examining whether duplicate registration certificates and ownership transfers should be blocked for vehicles carrying unpaid dues.

Another option discussed was withholding vehicle fitness certificates until pending challans are settled.

The bench also considered measures involving the Parivahan system, including the possibility of flagging or blacklisting vehicles with outstanding penalties.

Driving Licences And PUC Certificates In Focus

The court further discussed linking unpaid challans with driving-related services.

Possible measures included refusing renewal of driving licences associated with pending challans and considering suspension of licences that have already been issued.

The court also suggested examining whether Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates should be withheld for vehicles whose traffic penalties remain unpaid.

Authorities could also consider conducting random checks to identify vehicles carrying outstanding challans.

In cases where other enforcement measures fail, the court discussed whether vehicles with unpaid e-challans could be seized, where legally permissible.

Court Stresses Ground-Level Enforcement

Justice Pardiwala emphasised that authorities need to develop mechanisms that work in practical conditions rather than relying solely on digital issuance of challans.

The observations came against the backdrop of the large volume of unpaid traffic penalties across the country.

The court’s discussion focused on finding ways to improve recovery while taking into account the realities of enforcement on the ground.

For now, the suggestion of recovering unpaid challans through electricity bills remains only an idea raised during the hearing. The court has not directed authorities to adopt such a system.