Traffic e-challans worth 1,000cr unpaid in city
According to an RTI response received by Kalyan resident Unnikrishnan N on Aug 7, the traffic police have recovered Rs 817 crore out of Rs 1,817 crore in fines (Jan 1, 2020 to July 11, 2025).
The RTI data shows that pending dues surged by Rs 215 crore in July 2025, up from Rs 685 crore in 2023.
Between 2020 and 2025, a total of 3.2 crore e-challans were issued. Since April 2025, 795 driving licences have also been suspended for drunk driving.
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To discourage traffic violations, identities of offenders are posted online, and licences are sent to the transport department for suspension or revocation. RTI activist Anil Galgali revealed that between Jan 1, 2024 and Feb 28, 2025, traffic police imposed fines totalling Rs 556 crore.
During this period, the e-challan portal received 1.8 lakh online complaints contesting fines, of which 1.07 lakh were rejected.
"With unpaid fines continuing to mount, the traffic police face an uphill battle in recovering dues and ensuring compliance among millions of offenders. We need innovative recovery methods and additional manpower," Unnikrishnan said.
A traffic police officer confirmed that recovery is improving year-on-year despite growing backlog.
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"We've been sending uniformed constables to the homes of top defaulters with evidence of violations to demand payment. The transport commissioner's office has been alerted to collect fines from motorists with multiple challans when they visit RTOs for ownership transfers, fitness certificates or other services.
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Former mumbai traffic joint commissioner and retired IPS officer Dr BK Upadhyay stressed the need for special traffic courts.
"If the violator doesn't pay within a week, send a reminder. If they still don't comply, take the matter to court. Special courts should issue summons or warrants and decide the case within a month. The traffic department must have a strong prosecution wing, and the govt should formally notify the establishment of such courts," he said.
Upadhyay said over 80% of cases are genuine, with violation details attached to each e-challan.
Wrongly issued challans can be addressed to the website of the additional director general of police (highways). "People don't pay because they don't care, and recovery procedures remain weak," he said.
IPS officer-turned-lawyer YP Singh pointed out that large-scale fine recovery would require substantial manpower. "Most fines are on two-wheelers, including delivery personnel, who often can't afford to pay.
Recovering from them would require coercive measures, which aren't feasible given the manpower shortage. While most fines are backed by photographic evidence, a few stem from errors by traffic constables," Singh said, suggesting that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 be amended to streamline fine recovery.
Contesting a fine currently requires approaching the metropolitan magistrate's court, which is burdensome for both motorists and the department.
Retired deputy regional transport officer Sanjay Sasane said enforcement must be backed by recovery for any real deterrent effect. "The only way enforcement will be effective is when offenders are fewer. Start with awareness, follow up with enforcement, and publicize results," he said.
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