Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur
Nagpur, Dec 10: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday told the state council that the government will set up a study group dedicated to transport planning and the state’s e-challan system, citing the rapid rise in vehicles across Mumbai and its surrounding regions. Responding to a question from legislator Sunil Shinde regarding traffic personnel using their personal phones to issue e-challans, Fadnavis said the state must shift to modern technology to manage traffic enforcement and planning more effectively.
Minister of State Yogesh Kadam said the government is considering giving official cameras to constables instead of relying on personal devices. Fadnavis confirmed the formation of a study group after members Prasad Lad, Satej Patil, Bhai Jagtap, Adv. Anil Parab, and Manisha Kayande participated in the discussion.
The Chief Minister pointed out that Mumbai’s Development Control Regulations do not adequately account for the surge in two-wheelers and said the government will examine whether changes are possible. He added that the e-challan system will be upgraded to ensure timely notifications are sent to vehicle owners. Since older fines become harder to recover, the government plans to organise Lok Adalats and recover 50 per cent of dues under an amnesty mechanism. Linking penalty payments with FASTag is also under consideration.
Fadnavis noted that many residents in slum areas lack designated parking and are forced to leave vehicles on the streets; this issue will be factored into the new policy. Kadam added that constables have been instructed not to use personal phones for enforcement, and disciplinary action was recently taken in Chandrapur over such a case.
During the same session, Minister of Industry Uday Samant—handling the Urban Development Department during legislative proceedings—informed the Council that remaining payments to Sthapatya Consultancy India Private Limited, the firm tasked with conducting a property survey in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits, will be withheld until a complete investigation into alleged irregularities is finished.
Samant was replying to a Calling Attention Motion by legislator Amit Gorkhe, with legislator Umatai Khapre also raising supplementary questions. He said the company received a Rs 47.95-crore contract to survey 5.8 lakh properties, and the exercise identified an additional 3,70,213 properties. The PCMC approved an extra Rs 29.09 crore for the increased workload, but only Rs 12 crore has been paid so far.
Irregularities were discovered in the survey, including improper reclassification of properties from residential to commercial. An inquiry will be conducted by the officer currently in charge of the Municipal Commissioner, and the decision on clearing the firm’s remaining dues will be taken only after the investigation’s findings are complete.