Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 3: The Delhi government will soon implement amended provisions under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, introducing a fully digital and time-bound traffic challan system aimed at curbing violations and improving road safety, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.
According to an official statement, the revamped framework will make it mandatory for citizens to resolve challans within stipulated timelines, eliminating the possibility of avoiding penalties. Violators will also not be allowed to directly approach courts to contest a challan without first following the prescribed grievance process.
Under the new rules, individuals committing five or more traffic violations within a year will be categorised as “serious offenders” and may face suspension or disqualification of their driving licences.
The system will modernise challan issuance, enabling police and authorised personnel to issue fines both physically and electronically. Violations detected through cameras and digital surveillance systems will automatically generate e-challans. These will be sent to offenders within three days via mobile notification, while a physical notice will follow within 15 days.
Once a challan is issued, violators will have 45 days to either pay the fine or challenge it through an online portal by submitting relevant documentary evidence before a grievance redressal officer. If no action is taken within this period, the challan will be treated as accepted, and payment must be made within the next 30 days.
In cases where a challenge is rejected, the individual can either pay the fine within 30 days or move the court after depositing 50 per cent of the challan amount. Failure to act within deadlines will result in the challan being deemed accepted, with payment required within 15 days thereafter.
All payments will be facilitated through electronic modes, and grievance officers will be required to upload their decisions on the portal within 30 days.
The Chief Minister emphasised that once deadlines are missed, daily electronic notices will be issued. Continued non-payment will lead to restrictions on all vehicle-related services, including tax payments, driving licence processing, and registration-related requests.
Vehicles with pending dues will be flagged as “not to be transacted” on the official portal, effectively blocking further services until fines are cleared. In certain cases, and subject to court orders, authorities may also impound vehicles involved in violations.
All challans will be issued in the name of the registered vehicle owner, who will be notified through SMS, email, or other digital means.